I find it exhilarating to read recent exchanges questioning the basis and rationale of positive discrimination in Malaysia. The fact that they are so openly discussed is in itself a development one dared not hope in not-too-distant memory. To read of how Ministers and other potential leaders are openly (at least in cyberspace) derided and pilloried for blindly and stupidly parroting the alleged constitutional basis for the inequity and unfairness suffered by Chinese, Indians and other non-Malays all these years, is a refreshing breath of much needed fresh air. Then there is the statement by a former champion of Malay rights, Anwar Ibrahim, that the Malays’ special privileges should be scrapped. This is all shockingly positive news. Wonderfully encouraging news. Would they however, mean that Malaysia is well on its way to a more open and equitable society? It sounds like tiny first steps to me, but they represent the biggest steps taken in Malaysian history for as long as I can remember. If this carries, then it leaves corruption as the remaining malaise to be combated. Is this sufficient reason to contemplate making Malaysia our home again? Of course. Malaysia is where my family and I were born and raised. I’d return and call it home again if I so much as catch a whiff of potential change. The effects of such crippling policies however, have been far and wide. The twin terrors of NEP and corruption have been allowed to fester for so long, recovery will take be a long time coming (to say the least). Even if God allows Malaysia to get out of these woods the recuperation will take a long time. Certainly, such recovery if at all will not come quickly enough to warrant a reconsideration of our plans to make Melbourne our home. Malaysia has only begun waking up to the need to see a doctor. It is only beginning to be uneasy with these twin cancerous inflictions. It is only starting to ask questions. Whether it proceeds to have the problems properly diagnosed seeks treatment and accepts the need to adopt drastic measures remains to be seen. Only if it does, can we even contemplate the healing process.

Some people I have exchanged emails with accuse me of running away from the problems. They accuse me of not staying and fighting, saying I leave my fighting to others. I have never read Sun Tzu, so I can’t claim to be acquainted with the art of war but I know this isn’t a war I can fight and win. Knowing as I do, am I not obligated to salvage my child’s future and seek safer pastures? In any case, are those who choose to remain in Malaysia staying for noble reasons? Many remain because they have no choice. Emigration isn’t open to most people. Others stay because the price is too high. We spend a small fortune relocating, sacrifice a fortune by giving up vocations we had spent years building and give up on pleasures of extended family network and support. Then there are smaller pleasure like domestic help, good food, and laid back communities. All these add up to an enormous sacrifice which many are not prepared to make. Aren’t they running away from responsible action? Am I doing the running or are they? I have carried my fight elsewhere, where I think I or my child at least has a fighting chance. They have chosen to run away from this fight, as by remaining in Malaysia, they don’t have to fight. They already have a secured and pleasant lifestyle. I argue that this is temporal as their children are the ones who will have to make the sacrifices later on, all things being equal. If I am right, my accusers are the ones running away from the problem. If they want to avoid this cop-out, they should pack up their bags and go fight battles where their children can have better chances of winning.