We all have contributed in building this nation…

Two days ago, I received an email from Pak Cik which deserves a larger readership. Pak Cik, who retired from the civil service more than a decade ago, had earlier written in support of my blog, with the comment:

“The feedback from the new generation of Malaysians are very important and healthy for the future of the country. I hope those at the relevant agencies in the government read this. If not, compile and send it to them. This is part of nation building. Thanks”

In my reply, I shared with him my worry at the language used in some of the posts, “not only unrestrained but even quite irresponsible”. I said: “But while I do not want rank communalism rear their ugly heads, I am mindful that we need space for more open, even robust, discussion of some issues which had been swept under the carpet. I feel walking a very fine thread indeed.” .

This is Pak Cik’s response:

Kit, blogging is a Godsend tool, especially so for us Malaysians, where before this there are no other ways where we could voice our thoughts so freely, for the world to digest, and hopefully, could be sort of feedback to the authority.

It is also for Malaysians to channel their grievances and get out steam, which as you know had been bottled up, which is not healthy for the Malaysian society as a whole.

With blogging - now there are more then ten thousand Malaysian blogs and the numbers are increasing day by day - the opportunity for Malaysians to express their views to others are
limitless.

Like any tool we have to use it with care, lest it would be counter-productive. Blogging in Malaysia is at its infancy, it is growing and eventually the public would get hooked.

I am sure it would make an impact on the political cultural scene in the country. Look at Mack Zul and Jeff sites, they already have made their presence known to Malaysians and the world.
Yours I am sure would be the same. From the look of it, your blog has already got there already.

Like concerned parents we are concerned what this new tool would do. It is a sorts of a Pandora box, unstoppable, so we have to be wise in using it.

The present Malaysian does not really know what our generation have gone through, so it is our duty to keep reminding them that we are a young country and in the process of coming to terms with itself.

Despite all what had been said, we are doing alright, the economic cakes are getting bigger and are being enjoyed by all. Percentage does not mean anything but the quality does. Actually the Malays have more money in their pockets now then ever before, so are the non Malays. I have no complaints about that.

Remember the Tunku promised at Independence Day in 1957, food not ration, clothing not uniform and housing not barracks. Now we all actually live to eat and not the other way round. Almost all have roof over their head and some have more than one, clothing - well we never dream what we have got.

Look at the face of the Malaysians, say at the mall in KLCC, they all look healthy and show happy faces. We all have contributed in building this nation of what it is today and like any nation-building process it is not going to be easy, but We Malaysians would find the means and ways to get it done.

The Malay mindset needs time to change, unlike the Chinese. Dr.M admitted he failed to do so but I think they are changing but still slow and I know for sure when I look at my children and their generation - they are not the same Malay of yesterday.

I am happy of what they are becoming - less Malay but more Malaysian. The Malay is in a dilemma, one group wants to bring them back to the seventh century and this pull and push factor is the problem and I am optimistic that the majority of Malays do not want to go back to the seven century.

I would send you some sites that the Malays read now, which is unthinkable before. I guess that would do for the time being. Take care.

What are your thoughts?