Saturday May 11, 2013

Please, count our blessings

I AM writing all the way from Manchester, England, not to illustrate the inclination of my political support nor am I objecting to anybody’s right to vote for whichever party they prefer. However, I do feel duty-bound as a Malaysian to ask my fellow countrymen to count their blessings.

All the meaningful Merdeka and Petronas advertisements over the years seem to be redundant when all Malaysians do nowadays is complain.

I watched and read about people complaining before, during and after the elections regarding a variety of issues ranging from how they just want to see a change because the ruling party has been around for too long to the issue of the elections just being corrupted in general.

It used to interest me when the rakyat asked for betterment but in the run-up to the elections, some people began asking for change just for that – a change. If I were the interviewer, I might be tempted to ask them, by the same reasoning, if they would consider changing their parents or spouses because they too might have been around for far too long.

The human race prides itself upon using reason and logic, but I find no logic in asking for a change unless it is for the better. Believe it or not, some Malaysians actually said they want change to just see what happens when another party takes the helm.

For people who regard the country as an experimental guinea pig, I say their voices in such a serious matter as governance should not be heard at all.

Much is being said about the suspected corruption in the elections but nothing has been proven in a court of law. One can make YouTube videos and blog about all the unfairness until the cows come home but I say that unless an authority that is guaranteed to investigate and determine the veracity of all these allegations can be found, it is healthier for us to accept the results as they stand.

Many Malaysians told me before and during the elections about how they “witnessed” unfair practices but I am puzzled as to why they must wait until the results to start the chaos, if the same people had doubts even before the elections. I cannot and will not suggest remedies for the unsatisfied citizens but it is common sense that one should not cry over spilt milk.

I am not any holier than thou. I admit I have complained about the many weaknesses of Malaysia but only over a teh tarik. At the end of the day, I am grateful for the public schools I attended and thrived in, the general hospital which has ensured the longevity of a dear uncle, the robust civil career of my mother, as well as a country to call home, not having to worry about war.

For those complaining about racism, do take a look at how the black slaves were mistreated in America. In the present day context, it is impossible to walk on the streets of some countries where a person is stabbed solely because of his skin colour.

When some things are constant, we just have to vary our methods and efforts to get what we want. There are many among the minority who did make it and are continuing to do so.

In some countries, there are children dying of starvation and people not ever having seen the inside of a hospital because of their governments’ corruption. We Malaysians not only boast about state-of-the-art hospitals but also world-class sports figures.

Malnourishment and fear of having a bomb dropped on our roofs at any time is a thought beyond most of our comprehension.

Striving for betterment is a purpose of living but to complain and not count our blessings will only make us bitter, which is counter productive. Wake up and smell the roses, Malaysia.

Rathi Thevi Pragasam

Manchester

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Saturday May 11, 2013

Please, count our blessings