i am out 47

Just do the right thing Malaysian Sep 21, 05 3:30pm


In the tedious discussions as to whose land this is and whose language and culture must be dominant let us focus on simply doing what is right and just. Help the poor and underprivileged and if most of them happen to be of a particular ethnicity or religion so be it. Let us recognise the fact that we are all Malaysians whether our ancestors came from China, India, Sabah, Sarawak, Indonesia or from here. Let us respect our differences whether they be physical, cultural or spiritual. It is possible that we can learn much from each other. All of us have the same concerns – we want good education, we want jobs, we want quality housing, clean air, a good health system. We want high standards in our schools and universities. We should not regress to a point where we convince ourselves that only members of our race or religion will look after us and no one else should be trusted. We should not act and behave as if our responsibility extends only to members of our race and religion. We should recognise each individual in this country whatever his or her ethnicity, whatever his or her religion and whatever his or her gender as having the same rights. As far as language is concerned we have accepted Malay as the National Language. And we have accepted the fact that English is an important language. And for emotional and cultural reasons some will continue to learn and speak their mother tongues. Why should that be a problem? Why should anyone be prevented from learning his mother tongue? Let anyone learn three, four or five languages if he wants and has the ability to do so. Someone famous said ‘Knowing only one language is like living in a cage.’ Open the door of your cage by learning other languages.

One has to think of a country as a whole to benefit for her riches in soil, capital, labour, and services. It shouldnt be centred on a race type benefit which will corrupt the system. Failure will be suffering headaches for those living in the country. One can't rid off the rich to become richer; and the poor to become poorer. It is in the hands and mind of each person to make it happen. No government should lend a hand to support a particular race. Spoon feeding is bad for any race to make a mark in the world economy. One has to fight in the name of a country. It shouldnt be on race. It never ends the story of race base benefits eventually each race will become lazy.....Learn more languages to take the challenge to the borderless world. Even China has encouraged her people to learn more than one language.