theSun, Malaysia
November 18th, 2010
When I think of nasi lemak, there are a few absolute non-negotiables. So on my flight back from London, I ditched the boring omelette for my favourite - nasi lemak. After ten hours of delayed gratification thinking about nasi lemak, I peeled open the foil to find some chicken, rice and sambal. That can’t be it. I manoeuvred the chicken thinking there must be more. I found nothing else… this is not nasi lemak. Where is the ikan bilis, kacang, cucumber and egg? I was not pleased, though I did eat it but felt quite cheated.
See at the very least nasi lemak must have ikan bilis, kacang, cucumber, sambal and coconut rice. Whether it’s the Rm1.50 packet nasi lemak or one at a high street restaurant, that is what nasi lemak is. If not give it another name.
You might be laughing thinking that I take my nasi lemak too seriously, but the truth is I feel that we are constantly lowering our standards when we should be striving for better and expecting more – and it’s not just about nasi lemak.
If we look at the general work ethic in this country, I dare say, we are slackers and sometimes cheat. Not much is done well. Why can’t people just do the job they are paid to do? It’s not even about going above and beyond, it’s about doing what you’re paid to do. We have a mentality that has no consciousness about making excuses, blames everyone else and that thinks doing the job is really doing every one else a favour.
It ranges from the simple things like when the dustbin lorry comes round – there is always a trace of ‘juice’ or a rubbish trail left behind. When it comes to road works, how many potholes do you avoid each day, or how often are you caught in a traffic jam because our public transport system does not work efficiently.
We think we are headed towards developed status but really our mentality has not caught up. Hard work is a dirty word and better for some else to do but everyone wants the big bucks without having to work for it – after all there are so many cheats who get away. The lack of integrity has become our culture and now a long standing tradition.
The Auditor-General’s Report is not just peppered with such indecency but teeming with outrages exploitation of the rakyat’s funds. Children were sold sardine sandwiches without the sardines. Where is the integrity that people choose daily to rob children of food that they pay for? I am only touching the surface. Our politicians think it is acceptable to spend stimulus funds on chandeliers and wall paper, so I must be delusional if I’m expecting the fish monger not to cheat me!
It is almost like we are heading on a blind path thinking that if we continue the way we are we’ll fool the rest of the world into thinking that mediocrity equals excellence. Wrong!
Integrity is not conditional and singing songs about it on national television does not make it magically appear. If we are aiming to become a developed nation, we need a shift in mentality and not more towers or shopping malls. Instead, focus on being towering personalities, focus on creating policies that advocate equality, focus on giving justice her blind-fold back, focus on giving the rakyat their dignity and focus on providing basic freedoms.
I probably sound like a broken record, so perhaps I’ll just keep hoping that I find a complete nasi lemak soon.
Natalie is tired of the ‘tidak apa’ attitude of irresponsibility that plagues our society.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
