I have to admit that this is an article that Malaysian should accept it as an opinion from a person who live abroad from Malaysia.Close your emotions,open your eyes and start reading.
As a person who was born in Malaysia (Kuantan;March 9th 1986),I've spent 14 out of 23 years in Malaysia.In 14 years I spent my life in Malaysia,study or work,versus my experience 4 years in Calgary,Canada,or 6 years in Milan,I can describe why Malaysians abroad always unwillingly to return to a country that deserved to call it home.
Nothing political view here,just want to describe the difference that Malaysians(not just the government,but the people too) must learn from Western society to bring this great Malaysians,going back home.
1.CONSERVATIVE(in a sense of thinking,not politically).
I must admit this is the point that I should start.Perhaps I've been marked as staunch anti-conservative person,always dismiss "the rules that paralyzed the evolution".Malaysians,especially Malays always has thoughts like "if we up against the King,we will received bad omen(tulah)",or "women will always end up her life in kitchen,no matter how far she studied".
In this surrounding,I believe be a young women,you must take care of so called adab.Well,it's okay if we want to uphold our moral,but isn't we women right now,surrounded by bully-lover men?In Eastern society there was a thought that "only men rules" and "good women to shut their mouth".Now,I didn't support Minangkabau matrimonial system either.We want our voice to be listened,too.
And when you're young,even if elder person did wrong,you cannot telling off his/her fault,because it's rude to do such a manner.When I was 5,it was a horny elder guy asking about my small breast.He was saying "I can't see where is your breast..",and I slammed back "I can't see where is your brain,uncle..",yet,I've been slammed as "anak kurang ajar".
So,we live in uncondusive surroundings to develope criticizing mind.We have learn to obey whoever elder than you,and I wonder,"what if the elder did wrong?Should we follow too?"
2.TOO MANY PYRAMID HIERARCHY ORGANIZATION.
My dad was working in Petronas during 1997 until 2005.During at that time,according from my dad,none of the meetings or organization didn't relate with "upper hands".Everything must being approved by upper hands,either CEO,company President or even worst,Prime Minister are also involved.
In Western culture,we do egalitarian to discuss and organize an organization.A leader shall not dictate the members from doing their work.A leader should give a chance for organization commitee to work collectively,and find the way to solve problems or create oppurtunities.
In my shorter sentence,not everything you have to tell to your boss,as long as it's in a good hands.3.ASSLICKING,CORRUPTION AND BODEK.
These elements creating one issue--cronyism.To survive in pyramidal or hierarchy system,these elements should be used as a weapon of choice.You may receive other competitors,in order to climb up,these three thing should be used to achieve your glory.
When I was 15,I was a prefect in my school.But most prefect I met always love to be "teachers dog".Sometimes I wonder,is this the early teachings of society--to be corrupted and asslicking?Because I always believe ABILITY is key factor to be sucsessful.No wonder the youth leadership in Malaysia,in my opinion,are corrupted--because of early introductions of corruption in school.
I always heard students in universities in Malaysia,love to do this in order for better marks and pass the exams.Some--even worst,offering sex to lecturers for an A.In Canada lecturers and students are professional,no bias and no discrimication.If those thing occured students has right to lodge the report to Minister of Education.This is a serious issue.University is "brain of the nation",you cannot teach students how to be corrupted!
4.LOVE TO BLAME-BUT DON'T FIND SOLUTION.
In Malaysia,whether you're on Government or Opposition side,loves to complaint about each other rather than working together.When I was in Malaysia,what I always heard is "BN is always developing,PAS always using religion",and the others saying "BN always corrupted,PAS always been moderate and good listener".Guys,both sides need to work together for people that voted them,not to squarrel each other.Not to play "the game of blame".Not to ping-pong reactions and words.
In Canada this situation only happens when "the Parliament dissolves and campaign begins" until "the Prime Minister has been elected".For exception in current situation where the Opposition led by Liberals asking for no confidence votes because of incompetence Prime Minister to handle economic crisis.
Sometimes ridiculous issues such as "dancing at the podium" like Anwar received from RTM,hello..it's ridiculous.
The best thing is both government and opposition to work each other to handle public response.Opposition needs to critic,but lend their hands to government to solve problems.
Arrogant and ignorance government will always falling down.5.RIGID SOCIETY.
When I was 16 years old,I've leading Prefect Association to boycott school for a day.It was an issue,because a prefect fainted while in duty,and we asking extra 10 minutes for prefect to recess.Since Chief Prefect is a person with no balls,I led my Association to Dicipline Principal a.k.a. The School Fuhrer (Fuhrer is Hitler rank),to meet Head Teacher to discuss our recess period to be extended in 10 minutes.The School Fuhrer however--rejected and refused to do so--because it's a rule that students should obey.
In my speech with Prefect Association,I stated,"
We are the ones who sacrifice ourselves to keep our school in peace.We are the ones who responsible if any losses in class during recess,and we are the ones who sacrifice our time to study and enjoy our teenager life into stupid so called motivation camp,and we are the ones also being disgraced by our peers by calling us "the teacher's dogs".Now,after we became such a loyalty dogs,we've been spitted to our faces,by an ego of lousy dictator Dicipline Principal.I don't want to be a reformer,but I just want justice."
We all agreed to boycott the school whole day tomorrow.55 out of 60 prefects joining me and leaving "bodek prefect" to control the menace school.
The next day I've been fired by Principal by teaching all prefect to revolt--but my day has been celebrated,and the fainted prefect that I fought for stepping down as prefect.The rest want to follow--some may not--but in the end,after a serious discussion with Head Master,finally our demand of extra 10 minutes granted,and I got the job back.However,I refused to accept it.
Rigidity in school society led to rigidity in universities,and led to the whole society.These rigidity is the one why I despise Malaysian educational system.
Now,for lucky people who afford to go abroad,like me,has learnt that the system in West are far far better organized than in Malaysia.
That's why I challenged universities student like Nami or Deniel to reform your universities.I've read some articles about Student Power Movement,and I'm glad people like Nami and Deniel dare to challenge these rigidity in their respective universities.
If diplomatic and words cannot be tolerated,by there will be one way--FIGHT.
If all of you can manage to eliminate these ridiculous systems,I bet you,people with flock to back home,and build our nation--Malaysia--to the greatest.
"It has to start somewhere It has to start sometime,What better place than here, what better time than now?"-Rage Against The Machine,Guerilla Radio.