August 2015.

This year, we will celebrate our nation's 58th independence day. Due to the political and economical instability, and the many calamaties that has befallen our beloved nation, it feels that the spirit of Merdeka has dampen in the hearts of Malaysians. Instead of being proud of our nation like we used to be, ironically now we are the very ones who are bashing the name of our country.

Let's take a step back in time, back to the years of our very first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. I heard this story today, told by the 'Flying Doctor', Datuk Dr. M. Jagethesan, who is a national athlete back in the 60s and amazingly he is also a medical doctor. I did not recognize him when he went on stage, but it turns out that he was once dubbed as the fastest man in Asia, representing Malaysia in the Olympics. 



He told us of his fondest memories of Tunku Abdul Rahman. When he was thirteen and studying in Singapore, he took a train to come back to see Malaysia's Declaration of Independence. He said that when Tunku raised his hands and shouted "Merdeka!" shivers went down his spine, and that the moment a nation is born will be one that one will never forget in his whole life.

That moment, he made a promise to himself that one day, he will make the world stand up, and raise the Malaysian Flag, and play the national anthem as he stands at the podium. And he did. He won the gold medal eleven times in various competitions, and that is something that Malaysia can be proud of.

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I came upon this article today, entitled "Dear 20-Something Malaysian, Don't Abandon Ship, Home Needs You". The title itself is self explanatory, but how many of us actually feel the same way as the author?



I've travelled to many places, both urban modern countries and those poorer ones too. And having seen all of it, the good, the bad, I think that we still have a lot to be grateful for. Having spent three years living in a third world country, I can say so with much confidence. Eventhough a lot of people choose to migrate, for example to Australia, because of the better opportunities there, I still feel that home is where we should be. For me, at least that's the way it ought to be.

Travel the world, get as much knowledge and expertise as we can. And then come home, to where it is needed the most. 

Come home with open eyes and a broader mind that can change things.

Come home with a bigger heart and a helping hand.

Come home, simply because, if we don't, who else will?

"Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka!"

13th August 2015, 11.13pm

1) The Flying Doctor: Datuk Dr M.Jegathesan : 


http://malaysiansunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/flying-doctor-datuk-dr-mjegathesan.html?m=1


2) Dear 20-Something Malaysian, Don't Abandon Ship, Home Needs You.