Hey, YOU! I'm a Malaysian.
In many episodes in my supposingly 17 years of life, I have encountered many people who scoffs, laughs, and give that smile when being asked this very simple question- "Do you love your country?". I find it amazing that 10 out of 10 persons give the same reaction towards that question. Now, i am not surprise if you are one of them. This particular attitude has become the norm of our society these days. Once, when I did raise my hand when asked "Who here loves Malaysia?", not only were there people asking me,"You DO?!", majority of them were staring at me in awe. Surprised by the reaction? I guess not. You would most probably be more shock by my confession towards our country. Oh well.
The issue here is, why are Malaysians not loving their own country? Some even asked me why do i love Malaysia. Truth to be told, i do not know why. When I give them that answer, they stare at me and finally give me that "Aiyoyo..you don't even know why and you say you love Malaysia-kah?" look. [Laughs]. After receiving such looks for several times, I somehow began to wonder why I love my family. Is it their love that made me love them? The way they treat me? The things that they provide me with? The "without them I will not be here" reason? Then what about my brother? He was not the reason I am here today, and yet I love him. So what IS the connection? Even after months, and years, I could not figure it out. In Moral Education especially, when they ask the necessity for treating our parents well in their golden years. I suppose that it is the most natural thing to do. But, why?
After thinking about that on-and-off for several years, I accidentally connected it to my love for the country. Ironically, they were the same; I do not know why I love them. As a result, I assumed that there is no need for reasons. Afterall, I love them and that is all that matters. It does not really matter why I love them. So, back to Malaysia. Eventhough I do not really know why I love my country, there are a few things that I found out lately that I love watching and experiencing.
You would have probably heard this hundreds of time over and over again, but yes, I enjoy this feeling very much. Just thinking of the varieties of food, clothes, languages, cultures and beliefs that we have makes me smile. Before I start, I am not comparing to other countries, just being contented. As a person who is quite picky on food, I might only eat certain types of food. However, my favourite consists of meals made by various types of people. Then, there are also the choices of clothes. I find traditional clothes very interesting and unique eventhough people hardly wears them nowadays. Even those from East Malaysia are very interesting. Besides this, the various superstitions are interesting to hear about. Being in a country where so many different people who originated from various parts of the world, there would certainly be superstitions that we would have never heard about if we do not cross paths. Hence, this awes me. Also, not to forget, the different type of languages that you can hear daily-WOW. Do you not agree? [Smiles]
Oh, before I forget, I LOVE the feeling of "togetherness", when people actually do not judge others and yet are able to have fun, regardless of who they are. Call me naive, but that will not change what I love. [Smiles] And yes, eventhough we are each unique in our own ways, the assimilation process that have been going on for decades have made us even more unique as one. So you see, what is there not to love about the country? Mind you, I am referring to the country. Next, with people NOT loving their country, is it possible for the country to prosper? Still, that is a different issue. The question is, how can YOU stay in a place that you dislike? Imagine being accepted to a family or school that you do not like. What is the point? Hmm, perhaps I am more "passionate" about all these as i do not think I will be happy living in a place that I dislike. Oh well, it is your choice. There is one thing that I have to say though. After many years of smiling when being posed by that question just to avoid weird smiles and questions, I have finally realize that there is nothing wrong with loving my beloved country (no matter what most of you may think). So, I AM a Malaysian, and it will stay that way until the day i die. (then it will be WAS) [Laughs]
Lastly, there is a phrase that i HAVE to add to my confession:
I love you, Malaysia. [Smiles]
BUT
I do not necessarily love the people in it. Thank you people. =)
[LAUGHS]
