Come What May, Malaysia Always Boleh!

He or she, who does not know of Malaysia – has much to wonder about the wealth of cultures. Because if there was indeed anything that was extraordinary about the country, it would definitely have to be its rich variety of inter-racial camaraderie and very unique scale of diversity.

It’s true! There really is much to take pride in when it comes to the nation’s heterogenous identity. Amidst its spectacular mix of religions, traditions, customs and colours, not to mention its flickering cacophony of political divide, chaos and inexorable racial inequalities, therein lies very inevitably, the grace and beauty of an inexplicable, incontrovertible sense – OF ENDEARING UNITY.

With such a grand mix of ethnicities between the Malays, Indians, Chinese, Sikhs and other equally important indigenous tribes, we have our fair share of healthy bantering and insightful arguments of course. As a proud and joyful Malaysian, the point I’m really trying to make, is this; in spite of all the existential differences that go across the spectrum in this country, Malaysians – as its people, are still essentially, in its every essence – one of a kind!  

I say this not only in reference to our wonderful blend of multicultural communities, divergent political economy and amusing racial ideologies, but also for the fact that, no matter what the contention or controversy may be, at the end of the day, Malaysians – near of far, still unmistakably heed their natural and innate call for togetherness, ever ready to set aside differences and simply stand collectively as ONE MALAYSIA. Time and again, this has always proven true, especially when the nation is struck with trouble or tragedy.

Just look at the recent #ReachOut campaign that saw Malaysians in New Zealand and Australia getting together to help other Malaysians who were stranded due to lockdown measures imposed by the current Covid-19 pandemic; distressed Malaysians were offered, amongst others, free medical and legal advice, free accommodation, mattresses, sleeping bags, household items and even toys for children who were as equally distraught as their anxious folks. Such international efforts across borders to lend support to fellow countrymen truly personified the unbreakable strength and solidarity of the Malaysian spirit.

And let’s not forget back in March this year, when Malaysia similarly took lead in managing the welfare of its stricken citizens overseas.  This time, not only was it just Malaysians that were supported, but eight Singaporeans and one Indonesian were also successfully repatriated out of the 46 people that were stuck in Tehran, Iran following the virus outbreak.

These moving stories are only a few of the countless examples that testify to the unfailing loyalty and unyielding compassion of Malaysians as a whole. In fact, if anything, I strongly believe that the recent lockdown further cultivated a deeper sense of communal friendship – one that subtly reconciled a lot of the country’s self-inflicting, often unsubstantiated disparities largely made up for political gain – with  inherent values of empathy and mutual respect that fundamentally, and very genuinely, define THE REAL MALAYSIAN! 

And what is ‘The Real Malaysian’ exactly? Covid-19 has certainly shed its light to its truth and answer. Even since its days under the country’s Movement Control Order, not only has numerous local businesses rapidly pivoted by creatively turning difficulty into opportunity, new businesses have also popped up, daringly coming forth to identify the positives and possibilities amidst an onset of a global outbreak that seem to threaten any hope for the resurgence of a thriving economy.  

For example, as a way of solving the nation’s shortage on personal protective equipment (PPE), several enterprising Malaysians immediately took it upon themselves to demonstrate that the solution could very well be at our own doorstep. As a result, while a network of makers to design and test face shields for the country’s relentless frontliners were mobilised, other Malaysians simultaneously got together to raise funds for this initiative – enough to successfully produce 20,000 over face shields, which were then donated and delivered to 75 different organisations, including hospitals, clinics and community police groups. It didn’t stop there, because opportunities to further contribute at different levels expanded even more. The Malaysian entrepreneurs behind this movement then brought in tailors from marginalised communities (known as ‘B40’ which are the bottom 40% in Malaysia) to produce scrub sets at a fee that included gowns, hoods and even boot covers for medical staff. The industrious synergy and scale of social support from this inspiring tale of recovery is again evidence of Malaysia’s basic DNA to persevere, pull its own resources and together, embrace challenges by turning it into something new to call our own.

The reality of Malaysians dealing with the pandemic clearly tells a very different story to sweeping statements of a novel coronavirus potentially demoralising Malaysians and triggering the collapse of the country’s, even the world’s, economy. Although it is a fact that Covid-19 caught us all off-guard, causing lives and businesses across the board to come to a sudden halt that did deliver a significant blow to our economy, our energies as Malaysians still remain at an all time high, ready now more than ever to do what it takes to get the country back on track.

Those impacted by the pandemic and suffered job loss during this period are already part of the movers and shakers to the nation’s gig economy – which has emerged as a new job trend in Malaysia and is even steadily on the rise. The momentum of economic growth and local business ventures are also already abuzz with greater inclusion for a wider stage of investors and stakeholders. New entrepreneurs and business owners have also come to life with ideas and objectives that strive to create a functioning ecosystem of connectivity that are set to spur lifestyle and business activities to its former glory. Most notably, is how busy Malaysians have gotten with travel plans since the ban on interstate travelling was lifted, with many excitingly in Cuti-Cuti Malaysia-mode, reconnecting with Malaysia like never before. On top of this, the Malaysian government has also been active at offering business grants, making it more available and accessible in hopes of businesses seizing the opportunity to stimulate the nation’s economy.

So no, Malaysia will not go down without a fight.

We have farrrrrrrr too many things going for us to not get up and try to make things right.

And against any impossibilities or adversity, we will always have great strength to overcome through our diversity.

And as true as it may be, that we are lucky to have as much natural resources and infrastructure as we do as a nation – luckier are we, to enjoy the prosperity of our strong social capital – a secret ingredient that has always been Malaysia’s greatest fortune.

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What again, you may ask, defines ‘The Real Malaysian?’

Maybe it’s the eyes that widened on the face of that young Grab driver this morning as he said ‘thank you’ and wished you a good day while you got off his car.

Perhaps it’s the way makcik warmly expressed her usual wish to jumpa lagi as you left her restaurant that you regularly frequent for lunch.

Or could it be the persistence in the voice of your colleague, Dinesh gently reminding you to enjoy the chapati that his wife had made for you and is now left on your desk.

The answers are every day, aplenty – I feel.

But for you, perhaps you could take a look in the mirror later… and find your own answer staring back at you.