Given a choice, would you work in Malaysia?

This is one of the most heated debates of all time, and now it is ongoing on a student forum. I do hope anyone who happens to stumble across my blog provides some valuable opinions on this issue. But first, I will post up my opinion on this issue.

Let's get the ball rolling..

Malaysia, as a developing country, we have managed to build magnificent skyscraper like Petronas Twin Tower, world-class Sepang F1 circuit, and hosted many significant world conferences like NAM and OIC, as well as being the host for the 16th Commonwealth Game in 1998. Plus, every year, (if we could just have an official statistic on brain drain), many young and vibrant, talented Malaysian students get admitted into the top universities in the world.

So, by reading the examples above, we can say that, our country is obviously better than many others Third World Countries which are impoverished and under-developed. Therefore, to compare with them, is not a good way to improve ourselves. The countries we should compare, or more precisely speaking, observe would be Japan, Singapore, India and China. (or maybe Vietnam)

It's just the same as an excellent student who always wants to get admitted into some prestigious universities in the world, rather than opting for our local public universities which are constantly sliding between 200-400. Going for the best is the only way to be better.


Japan, which was almost destroyed in WW2 by the atomic bomb, not to mentioned many of its citizens are born handicapped due to the radiations. But, in about 50 years' time, we can see how its education system has evolved, by having the arguably toughest entrance exam in the world. Japan is so advanced in its science and technology. But, Japan is ranked in top 5 of having the highest suicide percentage due to high stress levels.

Singapore, our twins. Separated in 1965. Started from scratch, yet we can see how Lee Kuan Yew brings up Singapore to be a well-respected and renowned small island. Both NUS and NTU made it into top 100, with 30 and 70 respectively in THES-QS ranking table. Singapore, with little natural resources, able to excel tremendously in economy and education. However, due to the elitism mentality and the high stress levels, we can read from the newspapers that most of the professionals are acting wild and uncontrollable at times. And politics, in the near future, I dont think PAP will lose, let alone fostering a strong democratic nation, like what we see in USA and UK.

For China and India, their GDPs are growing gradually despite the financial slump. And, in terms of education and economy, again they are the leaders in Asian region, if not the world. And, if you have read before a book entitled 'The World is Flat" by Thomas L. Freidman, you will see Mumbai and Calcutta is the next biggest Silicon Valley in the near future. However, the gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider days in days out, and this is not a good sign if they are to come up with a stable society. And, for this, those who have watched "Slumdog Millionaire", will know about the actual scenario happening in India. For China, if you have been following the international news for years, you will come to see that many poor Chinese are living in an impoverished condition. Child abuse is rampant nowadays.

What am I trying to point out is, there is no country in the word which is as perfect as decribed by Plato in his book Republic.

In conclusion, we should always be grateful that we are born in this country. Three majority races and the minorities in East Malaysia, with so many local scrumptious delicacies, with an abundance of cultural heritages and of course with a colourful history.

While for the racial discrimination, Malay superiority mentality (Ketuanan Melayu) by some conservative right-wing Malays, it is for us, the younger generation to change. It's obviously hard. That's why we should study abroad, learn how a good democratic nation is being administered and gain the knowledge required to help our nation. And, contribute what we have learnt to our government.

We don't abandon a toddler who is learning to crawl, but instead we teach him to walk right?

I have seen many Malays are well aware of what is happening in our country. And, the Chinese, Indian and other minorities are willing to forgive and come back to serve the country.

I know, I am being simply idealistic, to form a Utopia. But, remember all things are started off with a little dream.

What say you?^^

© Luminodreamer