Keep your ideal, Amanda!

This morning, I came across an article written by Amanda Fan at TMI entitled "Come home, Malaysians!" (here) and closed the window after reading it. After a while I thought I should have shared it on FB, so I googled for the article. Then I found another article written by Timothy Tiah back in 2011 with the same title "Come Home Malaysians" (here). Now I am seeing the Malaysiakini sharing the same article by Amanda with a different title "Stay and help change Malaysia for the better" (here) . 

Since I decided to chill a bit today and brain drain has always been an issue that is very close to my heart, I read all the comments at all the 3 sites. Many people left comments to Amanda and Timothy Tiah to tell them the real problem and advised them to get down to the reality. To summarize all of those comments, the overall dilemma are the following, 'how can we encourage people to come back to Malaysia when there is no equal opportunity?' 'how can we encourage them to come back when they can earn much more and reach their full potential else where?' We just can't. Unfortunately, we just can't. 

Nevertheless, I AM WITH YOU AMANDA! Hold on to that ideal and never let it die even when the reality hits in. Study hard, excel in your university and come back to serve the nation never mind the imperfections. And when you are back, make sure you are actively involved in making a difference here in Malaysia, big or small.

I was there at KL112

I believe 12 Jan 2013 Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (KL112) will be the day that I can proudly say to my children one day, "I was there..." 

I am reminded of my all-time favourite Merdeka ad below. Maybe many years down the road, there will be an ad showing similar experience for KL112, a day that bring new hope to the nation. 

The closing lines of the ad reads"many things have changed since (Merdeka at 1957).... sometimes we forget how it all started......" Here are the lines of Tunku Abdul Rahman speech in Stadium Merdeka when it all started:-

" But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future; from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility: Let no one think we have reached the end of the road: Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavor — the creation of a new and sovereign state. At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: To work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty — a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world."

Friends, let us work with our hands and brains toward a new Malaysia, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty - a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.

Happy Merderka Rakyat!

When everyone says "that's all we could do"

Recently a single mother came to our office (both DAP Damansara office and Kampung Chempaka service center) to ask for our assistance for her 9 year-old girl. 

Her daughter experienced sexual abuse resulting in acute bleeding of her private part. For your information, the family is not so well to do, the little girl need to either stay in her grandmother house together with her uncle and cousin or in her mother's house together with two other families that co-rent the house. Until now, the perpetrator is not identified (so the mother wasn't sure where is safe for the daughter). 

I remember vividly my first meeting with the little girl. She didn't really talk and preferred to use body languages or just make sounds. According to her mother, she is a constant victim of school bully. This very same girl is now sexually abused. As I was talking to the mother, I kept asking myself, "how will this girl turn out to be when she grows up if she receives no help from the society?" Neglected at times (both the mother and grandmother need to work), constantly bullied in the school and now worse, sexually abused. 

Happy New Year

Yes, I know it's kind of late, I would like to wish all the readers here a very Happy New Year!  I've been really busy running around until tonight to enjoy a moment of peace to bid 2012 farewell.

My only wish for 2013 is that Malaysia will have a brand new start, a good new start. I hope that people power will be able to tip the point of change.