Yo! Wassup? Alles klar? ¿Qué tal? hehe.... welcome to my BLOG!

I came across this e-mail today and thought everyone should share it, I really agree with this guy...

*This was written by a Malaysian who went abroad and wishes to return to
Malaysia but has some doubts about it.*

I have been meaning to pen some thoughts for some time now, to let people
actually read the views of the typical ‘overseas Malaysian’ who is kept
away. I realise that my email is rather long, but I do hope that you
would consider publishing it (and also keep my name private!).
I shall start by telling a little about my background. Mine is a rather sad
tale – of a young Malaysian full of hope and patriotic enthusiasm, which is
slowly but surely trickling away.
I am very different from many other non-bumiputeras, as I was given
tremendous opportunities throughout my childhood. Born into a
middle-class
Chinese but English-speaking family, I grew up with all the privileges of
imported books, computers, piano/violin lessons and tuition teachers.

My parents insisted that I should be exposed to a multi-racial education in
a national school. In my time, my urban national school (a missionary
school) was a truly happy place – where the Malays, Chinese and Indian
students were roughly equal in proportion. We played and laughed with
each other, and studied the history of the world together during Form 4, with
one interesting chapter dedicated to Islamic history.

Though 75% of my teachers were Malays, I never really noticed. My Malay
teachers were the kindest to me – teaching me well and offering me every
possible opportunity to develop. I led the district teams for English and
Bahasa Malaysia debating competitions. I was the only non-Malay finalist
in the Bahasa Malaysian state-level elocution competition. My Malay teachers
encouraged me to transfer to a government residential school (sekolah
berasrama penuh) so as to enable me to maximise my academic potential. I
refused because I was happy where I was, so they made me head prefect and
nominated me as a ‘Tokoh Pelajar Kebangsaan’. Till this day, I am
absolutely certain that it was the kindness of all my Malay teachers
which made me a true Malaysian.

I excelled at school and was offered a Singaporean government scholarship
to study overseas. I turned them down because I wanted to ensure that I
would remain a ‘true Malaysian’ in the eyes of Malaysia. So I accepted a
Malaysian government scholarship to study at Oxford University.
Throughout my three years as an undergraduate, the officers at the MSD looked after
me very well, and was always there to offer support.

I graduated with first class honours, and was offered a job with a
leading investment bank.The JPA released me from my bond, so as to enable me to
develop my potential. I shall always be grateful for that. I worked hard
and rose in rank.

My employer sent to me to Harvard University for postgraduate study and I
climbed further up their meritocratic ladder. Now I am 31 years old and
draw a comfortable monthly salary of US$22,000. Yet, I yearn to return
home. I miss my home, my family, my friends, my Malaysian hawker food and
the life in Malaysia. I have been asked many times by Singaporean
government agencies to join them on very lucrative terms, but I have
always refused due to my inherent patriotism.

I really want to return home. I have been told by government-linked
corporations and private companies in Malaysia that at best, I would
still have to take a 70% pay cut if I return to Malaysia to work. I am prepared
and willing to accept that. My country has done a lot for me, so I should
not complain about money.

But of late, my idealistic vision of my country has really come crashing
down, harder and faster than ever before. I read about the annual fiasco
involving non-bumiputera top scorers who are denied entry to critical
courses at local universities and are offered forestry and fisheries
instead. (My cousin scored 10A1’s for SPM and yet was denied a
scholarship).

I read about UMNO Youth attacking the so-called meritocracy system
because there are less than 60% of Malay students in law and pharmacy, whilst
conveniently keeping silent about the fact that 90% of overseas
scholarship recipients are Malays and that Malays form the vast majority in courses
like medicine, accountancy and engineering at local universities.

I read about the Higher Education Minister promising that non-bumiputera
Malaysians will never ever step foot into UiTM.

I read about a poor Chinese teacher’s daughter with 11A1’s being denied a
scholarship, while I know some Malay friends who scored 7A’s and whose
parents are millionaires being given scholarships.

I read about the brilliant Prof. K.S. Jomo, who was denied a promotion to
Senior Professor (not even to Head of Department), although he was backed
by references from three Nobel Prize winners. Of course, his talent is
recognised by a prestigious appointment at the United Nations.

I read about UMNO Youth accusing Chinese schools of being detrimental to
racial integration, while demanding that Mara Junior Science Colleges and
other residential schools be kept only for Malays.

I read about the Malay newspaper editors attacking the private sector for
not appointing enough Malays to senior management level, whilst insisting
that the government always ensure that Malays dominate anything
government-related.

I read that at our local universities, not a single Vice-Chancellor or
Deputy Vice-Chancellor is non-Malay.

I read that in the government, not a single Secretary-General of any
ministry is non-Malay. The same goes for all government agencies like the
police, armed forces, etc.

I read about UMNO screaming for the Malay Agenda, but accusing everyone
else of racism for whispering about equality.

I read about a poor Indian lady having to pay full price for a low-cost
house after being dispossessed from a plantation, whilst Malay
millionaires demand their 10% bumiputera discount when buying RM2 million
bungalows in a gated community.

I read about my beloved national schools becoming more and more Islamic
by the day, enforced by overzealous principals.

I read about my Form 4 World History (Sejarah Dunia) syllabus, which now
contains only one chapter of world history, with Islamic history covering
the rest of the book.

As I read all this, I tremble with fear. I love my country and long to
return. I am willing to take a 70% pay cut. I am willing to face a
demotion. I honestly want to contribute my expertise in complex financial
services and capital markets. But really, is there a future for me, for
my children and for their children? I am truly frightened.

I can deal with the lack of democracy, the lack of press freedom, the
ISA, our inefficient and bureaucratic civil service, our awful manners and
even a little corruption. But I cannot deal with racism in my homeland.

I think this is the single biggest factor which is keeping people like
myself away. And bear in mind – there are so many of us (researchers,
scientists, bankers, economists, lawyers, academics, etc.). What people
read about in Malaysia (like Dr Terence Gomez) is but the tiniest tip of
the iceberg. You will be amazed to know about Malaysians denied JPA
scholarships (which would have made them civil servants), took loans to
attend Ivy League universities, but who are later asked to advise our
government (on IT, economics, etc.) at fees running to millions of US
dollars. Such information will never be published because it is
politically
incorrect.

As a Christian, I pray for God’s blessing on this great country of ours.
I pray that He blesses our leaders with the foresight and humanity to see
that this will not work and cannot continue. I pray that they will have
the strength to make our country a home for all Malaysians and that they will
have mercy for the poor, including the non-Malays. I pray for true racial
harmony and acceptance (not just tolerance) in Malaysia.

Yours sincerely,
A very frightened Malaysian abroad

I just suddenly realised I haven't been updating here recently, more like for the last months. Just thougth of it while mentioning about blogs to a friend. Why can't I get myself to start studying? Why? I should be studying but I ain't. So much to do, so little time and little old me, lazing around. haihs... Watched shows today. Imagine sleeping at 5.30 a.m. yesterday, new record for me considering I wasn't doing anything I had to.At least I sent my car for repair.I am problems in further math exams regardless of what other people say, plus the pile of things to memorise for Chemistry! Argh!
I just seem to have lost my directions in life, though not losing my goal.Zig Ziglar's book really motivated me to change, hopefully for the better.
At least we will be having a study break next week. What study break ? have to go back to school for classes somemore say study break.. tak guna!
Study man, study! Put love out of sight and into the oblivion! There's no use clinging on to false hope! Dun lie to yourself! Fi*k! what am I saying to myself.. better go to sleep soon or I'll end up getting a headache on Monday!
Still, glad I'll be finally getting my wireless router tomorrow.

I know I know, I haven't been posting for very long. just dun have the mood or the internet access, not to mention the time!
Just feeling a little down right now. No motivation to live lerl. I'm not good enough to get a scholarship, yet not rich enought ogo anywhere where I can look for a course I like. And I have no idea what course to dom no idea which would give a satisfying pay and security plus a chance for promotion.. haihs.. I just don't know.

This will be my last post from Germany, flying home tomorrow. This last few days were good, visited a very beautiful castle yesterday. Don't know why, but I jsut couldn't really sleep yesterday, my mind was wandering throughout the night! Anyway, good bye to Germany.. Auf wiedersehen!