My Malaysian Dream

Today, my country celebrates its 48th Independence Day and as we approach that milestone of 50, I could not help but ponder about the future of my beloved country. Malaysia has come a long, long way since the British colonial times to what it is now: a proud, speedily developed and self-governed country. Look at where we are now compared to other countries who had obtained independence long before us.

We Malaysians must honour and be grateful to the sacrifices our leaders have made into turning this country into one of the most peaceful and developed country in this region. We do not suffer from 'people power' riots, religious extremism, communism and extreme poverty like many of our neighbouring countries today. All credit must go to the people who had striven to protect Malaysia.

Every Malaysians must have a sense of duty to the country! I am sad to see that many among the young are taking everything for granted with little appreciation for the efforts our forefathers. These young people have come to expect that all the good things in life have been rightfully theirs but they did not know that before it was rightfully theirs, people had to fight for it. If people had not fought for this country, it would have been very easy for the communists to take over this country and make it into another Myanmar. I wish that all young people will wake up and open their eyes to see the value of our independence, our freedom. That they may not be indifferent to it when the time comes for them to take over the reins of this country. The generation of today must inculcate important values in the generation of tomorrow so that they will become worthy leaders and heirs of this country.

This is my Malaysian dream. A future Malaysia that is secure, that is still as peaceful and stable as ever before when Vision 2020 is fulfilled. It is all in our hands, my dear compatriots. Will you be willing to stick your neck out and brace the storms like our forefathers had or will you run off to another country to seek for better and greener pastures?

I wish all of you, dear brothers and sisters of Malaysia... a Selamat Hari Merdeka!