Just caught a glimpse of the Malaysian PM’s Merdeka message – “stop raising sensitive issues” is a familiar echo following a call to racial unity, itself also a tiresome message.

I say if he is fair dinkum about a better Malaysia, encourage open debates on what is causing increasing polarisation in Malaysia. We see Muslims increasingly intolerant and ethnic minorities ever more marginalised. Yet no one is supposed to talk about it. Remember, Pak Lah – riot is the language of the unheard, so said Martin Luther King. By calling for muted response, you are just going backwards and ensuring Malaysia makes no progress. May it not take another 49 years before Malaysia gets smarter about things.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

A family tradition – Christmas eve at my brother’s house in Shah Alam. From left – Jean, David’s wife, Nicole, Sim’s girl, (I forget the name of the little firl in white dress – she’s the youngest daughter of a cousin – i have since been reprimanded for forgetting – her name is of course, Lydia!), Kiddo, David, Yang and Zack. Yang is my other sister’s (Mei) boy. They live in Xuzhou, China. Xuzhou is close to Shanghai and Goh, Mei and Yang have been there for several years now. I havent seen Goh for a long time now.

The family court jester – Isaac Ching – with his sister, Nicole. With them is Jean, my brother’s wife. Jean and David live in Shah Alam. This pic was taken during a recent holiday at Cameron Highlands, Malaysia 

This is my nephew, Isaac Ching (the older “Zack” in my family) . He is my sister’s son. Siok Sim and Daniel live in Penang and this little bugger’s Penang’s accent is so thick a five cent coin would stay right on top of it. He’s got this low, voice and he is so precocious and of course, a bit of the family court jester. I miss him loads.

This was taken during my mother in law’s birthday dinner party. She’s the beautiful looking lady seated second from the left. Extreme left is Ben, Theresa’s younger brother. He is the second son. The first son is Victor, second row extreme right. Jean (second row extreme left) is Ben’s wife. Megan is carried by Emma, the Filipino helper in my in-laws’ house. My father in law is carrying Zach. Seated on the extreme right are Eunice and Bryan, Victor’s kids. Beng Lan (next to Victor) is the mom. Next to Beng Lan is Kheen, Theresa’s youngest sister. I forget the name (I have since been told it is Ana) of the other house helper, an Indonesian (standing next to Jean). Of course, Ben tried to tantalise us by also sending us pictures of every dish they had that night, and tried to con us into paying for the meal, which as usual, was funded by SH Chew Bank Limited.

This is Megan 4 months ago, with her little brother Zach, who is now a spitting image of Ben, their father and Theresa’s younger brother. I sincerely believe for THEIR children to remain just as happy, their father should seriously consider moving over to Melbourne (Ben, hint! hint!)

This was taken when Theresa and Kiddo were on holidays in Malaysia, circa December 05. Megan could then call “Tua Kor” (“Big Auntie” – what she calls Theresa) and “Elysia chieh chieh” She could also call me “Kor Tiu” even though she wouldnt now know me from a bar of soap.

Obviously to many, this was taken in Genting Highlands, one of those places I abhorred. This place embodies grotesque tackiness. It invented tackiness! 

This photo was taken enroute to the KLIA airport, circa Oct 2004. Megan is Theresa’s (younger) brother‘s first child. Kiddo loves her to bits and she could barely talk when we left. Theresa stayed with me for a week, then returned to Malaysia as she was still working in PJ then. 

It is now over 22 months since I left Malaysia permanently. Today is Malaysia’s Merdeka Day. Yet, instead of rueing my decision, I feel vindicated. This is especially so, having just read a letter to Malaysiakini. Dr Jacob George’s letter dated 17 Aug was titled “Does my country love me?” and as I read it, I am reminded that the current crop of Malaysian leaders are so far removed from even thinking about changing the malaise of Malaysia that if the process starts any time soon (which I doubt) it would be such a long and arduous road that the desired outcome would not be a foregone conclusion. God only knows what that path would lead to.

I am glad I have now spared my daughter from asking the question Dr Jacob’s teenaged children are asking him. There is no doubt in my mind he loves Malaysia very much. Apart from being a social activist to bring about change, the mere fact that he has remained in Malaysia all these years, despite, I believe, being qualified to emigrate, shows his belief in Malaysia. Yet, I feel sad for him and others like him, for the obvious pointlessness of his sacrifices. A senior politician even went so far as to suggest there is nothing to celebrate (Merdeka) as the leaders are hell bent on Malaying os Islamising everything. Yes, I am glad I left. That is my Merdeka.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)