One of the things I love doing in KK is driving round the beautiful kampungs around the town with my nephews and nieces. Kota Lama Kanan, Kota Lama Kiri, Lubok Merbau, Sayong, Karai, Padang Rengas, Kati and even the sparsely populated Kampong Senggang where my nephew has a chicken farm. In Kota Lama Kanan, for example, one can see the prosperity of some the villagers, judging by their houses, whereas around Kampong Senggang, perhaps most people are still struggling to earn a living. I feel a connection with the land, even if I did not spend much time growing up there. The beauty of these little quaint villages makes you never tire of observing them.
Whenever I travel on the North-South Highway to go back to KK, I always feel a surge of pride, love, admiration at the panoramic tropical vista. My country is beautiful. With it's multi-racial rakyat of various ethnicity, it's fusion of culture and various languages, it's amazing history. It is a unique place. Even if I adore the gentle rolling plains of England and Wales, or the gorgeous autumn colours of the forest in Japan but Malaysia is just as awesome. It's always sunny, it is always green all year round. If I were to migrate to another country (very very slim chance of that actually), I think I will always be waxing lyrical about Malaysia to the people there. There is always acute nostalgia with the land of my birth. I am Malaysian, and I belong to this country, even if I too, have some pendatang blood in me. My great grandfather, maternal side, came from Sri Lanka. I believe, the same is true, for all Malaysians who were born and raised here. This is our country. We should never let politicians, or even the clergy, sully our minds with their own agendas of trying to divide us using race and religion.
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| The road to Kampong Senggang |
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| Typical old Malay house. Long windows with 2 sets of shutters to each window |
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| Another typical old Malay house, Notice the side veranda. |
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| The pride of KK. The intricately beautiful Istana Kenangan. |
Usually on Hari Kebangsaan, I will be wishing my close friends with Merdeka greetings, rejoicing being the rakyat of a nation that has been ruled by its own people after being colonised by the British for some time. As a nation, we had our ups and downs, but we were OK. I did believe in my heart that we had a government that did care about its people. It's never perfect of course, but all the while before the present government, I honestly did look up to the Prime Minister and his cabinet as a team that meant well and has good intention, where the nation and the well being of Malaysians were concerned. Not anymore.
This year is different. I feel there's nothing to rejoice. It's all a farce. I didn't even watch the Merdeka procession on TV today, which I used to do every Hari Kebangsaan. I am even critical about the money spent on the Merdeka celebration, as the country's coffer is emptying fast. People are losing their jobs and struggling hard to survive. People are anxious about the future, as the country seems to be heading into the club of doom. I don't trust the Prime Minister. Personally, to me he is lying all the time, trying to cover his misappropriation of billions of state fund. If he has an ounce of integrity, he would have resigned a long time ago. All around him are his cohorts of ministers and top state officials who are just as eager to do his bidding, to ensure that their positions are secured.
I am wary about the coming general election. I am just doubtful about the credibility of the next government. I want dynamic, hard-working, passionate young leaders who are serious about repairing the damages that have been done to Malaysia, growth wise and economy wise.. Leaders who will regain our dignity as a sovereign nation. Leaders who are determined to bring the best progress to the nation and to the people.
