EACH year cupid’s arrow-range expands. Unless you’re made of tin and have a clock for a heart, anyone can be your Valentine … from family, friends, parents, pets and, in my case, Malaysia. Since love is the theme of the week, here are seven things I love about Malaysia.
» Malaysia boleh!
We’re such an optimistic bunch. While the rest of the world cringes at the state of stock market fluctuations, and the world unwillingly lives through an economic depression, Malaysia stays "unaffected" – although about 50,000 Malaysians will lose their jobs. Our optimism sometimes borders on delusion.
» Truly Asia
With a rainbow of races, cultures, traditions and languages, Malaysia is "truly Asia". We don’t have to travel the world to enjoy a variety of food. As a melting pot of cultures, we celebrate every festival with a public holiday though many remain unaware of the difference between race and religion or what is being celebrated. While we deny celebrating racial politics, we have a quota system in employment and public university intakes. We enjoy merging our languages that sometimes a lot can be lost in translation. Like the word "ketuanan". Sometimes in this confusion, we might even reconstruct history – and as long as it’s not questioned – all is well.
» Polite
In line with the Rukun Negara, Malaysians pledge to be polite, courteous and moral. Caucasians with blond hair and blue eyes will attest to our politeness – perhaps not African students or foreign workers. Similarly, many Malaysian men can be extremely friendly and vocal in their appreciation of the female form each time a woman walks past. In politics, character assassinations and dirty games are politely explained away as friendly banter. Yet, Malaysians would rather not smile at their neighbours.
» Hot & spicy
I love waking up not having to worry if I need a winter jacket or sweater. It’s the best weather in the world because I won’t freeze wearing my mini-skirt – though I’d turn blue in any air-conditioned office, mall or cinema. Everywhere there’s a green hill in Malaysia, the land is cleared and nature left devastated. But this has got nothing to do with super hot temperatures in our country. That is the result of problems caused by the west when they made millions clearing their rainforests. So, you see, from spicy hot food to a daily dose of "hot" news, there is never a dull moment in this tropical land of ours. Now that’s hot!
» Loud
From the loud beautiful sounds of the kompang, tabla and Chinese drums to the lively chatter in a mamak stall at any hour, and the maddening sounds of the Mat Rempits, Malaysia isn’t quiet. We build the tallest, biggest and largest of everything and have this desperate need to show off for the sake of winning world records that one has to wonder, why? And, when things get a little quiet we make a big fuss over police brutality, frog-jumping politics, helicopter and submarine deals ... and then suddenly all goes quiet ... with U-turn proposals on heart hospitals and Race Relations Acts. So, while the public are dumbfounded by the confusion, everyone’s given the runaround until people become too tired to make a fuss or bother about accountability. But all’s not lost, because each newly sworn-in MB makes loud promises that keeps the people quiet ... at least, till the next swearing-in.
» Ordered
Rules teach us what is acceptable and what isn’t in society. Malaysia is a country of rules – especially those promulgated for our good. And this includes the ISA. The rules are strictly followed especially if there’s a perceived threat. We have a great constitution, which the public are not completely aware of, because of interpretations or misinterpretations.
» Visionary
Malaysia’s got a "plan" for everything – from the New Economic Plan, Draft KL Plan, Vision 2020 and the Malaysia Plans 1-10. We plan so much – and for the "inevitable" – that, sometimes, the public even know the verdicts of the court before the court itself makes a decision. And with election results, even before the count is made. Vision or insight, or perhaps, even seer-quality or wisdom, our people have come to accept that it’s good to have a vision because it achieves goals, even if they aren’t very positive.
Some might think this a loathsome ode. I believe though that the opposite of love is not hate but indifference.
Happy Valentine’s Day Malaysia!
Natalie is looking for a I “heart” Malaysia T-shirt.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com.
