"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed; "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal."
How these words will ring forever in the hearts of the people is a wonder. Whether they be Americans, Europeans, Africans, Middle-eastern, or just Malaysians, when the people which their government is supposed to protect, stand up in unity against the unjust, the corrupt, and the oppressive authoritarian, these words will always echo inside.
I am a Malaysian born in Malaysia, but my destiny was to be away from my country. Having lived many years overseas and seldom came back to Malaysia, I felt no sense of belonging to my native country. It was until after I came back to have my tertiary education instead of continuing it overseas, it changed my view of my country.
Different from Japan which I used to live before, I am not able to walk alone at night without being alert for my safety or the people close to me.
A uni-racial political authority in a supposedly multiracial democratic country. People were still being judged by the colour of their skin.
The level of development is falling behind, people are getting poorer and poorer, income is going down and inflation is going up.
In the international arena, not even many people know of Malaysia, to them, its just another country located somewhere around the globe, the people there probably stays in the jungle.
Do I feel ashamed that my country is in this state? Yes. Because of some political delinquents, with their corruption, murder cases, greed, selfishness, and racism, they have turned the country which me and my fellow Malaysians are supposed to love and to be loyal to, into something seemingly destined for a tragic ending.
But will I bow to that? No. Because I see people working hours after hours just to make a difference for us on the stage with their voices, to make sure our voices will be heard and justice, equality arrive. It's because I see strangers become friends with strangers, people helping each other regardless of race, religion and ethnicities, all united under one slogan.
It is during these moments that I feel proud to be a Malaysian, and therefore I will not, and I will never, give up on Malaysia. Although it is not at all difficult for me to be a citizen of other "better" countries, NO I will not give up my place on the land which I was born. I will pursue until the very end for the cause of justice, equality, peace, reformation and freedom from oppression, until one day my nation become great, prosper, powerful, and beautiful, and an envy of the world, I shall pursue this cause. For my beautiful Malaysia, for beautiful Democracy, lama hidup Malaysia, lama hidup Demokrasi.
I am only 24,
I am still young,
and I am not afraid to voice out
my thoughts nor oppose the corrupt.
- 生为马国人，死在马国土."
10th of May 2013,
Alan Chua,
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