Blog 18th Anniversary - Oh Malaysia!

 Britain granted independence to Peninsular Malaya on 31 August 1957.  Here is one

of my previous write ups. 

As a child having a charmed life on Penang Island, this day was anticipated with much fanfare.  The lyrics of the National Anthem were reexamined in earnest.  Specials were screened at theatres and on telly.  No special cakes or delicacies were made though, even for a food obsessed society.

Neighbours did however come out in compounds to chat with each other.  English was still spoken with gusto - and everything Brit was still held with respect, much akin to parents in contemporary Malaysia still, having an embedded respect of university education in good reliable England.

I never questioned then what we were celebrating independence from. Sure, the history books said we were free from the yoke of imperialism, economic exploitation and rule by a foreign race.

But I could already enjoy the heritage of what Britain left behind in other positive aspects.  There was a Westminster based Parliamentary system.  We already had a royalty, from nine component states, left intact by colonial interests - in case anyone missed Queen Liz.  There were legal and governance systems already working in the Malayan Civil Service.

Transport infrastructure, education mechanisms and economic pillars were already well established, much better than in most newly founded nations.  There was a strong foundation of family, criminal, corporate and tax law like in Australia.

Friends of my parents, my classmates and neighbours relished in enjoying commonly shared values than focus on differences.
Socially, we immersed themselves in laughter, helping each other out and cultivating joint hobbies.

Gatherings were more spontaneous than formal, centring round fruit seasons, cultural festivals, good weather days and when people needed a listening ear.
In the classroom, there was a comradeship that transversed the boundaries of religion, ethnicity and class.

We valued the English language for its dominance in world trade. We learnt our respective mother tongues. By law, we learnt the Malay lingua franca.   In Penang, there was a Patois spoken that is still as colourful as in New Orleans, Papua New Guinea or in South Africa. 

Like in Sydney and Melbourne these days, we had access to several cuisines - and still do.   Friends of diverse backgrounds used to eat together at the same table, but I understand now they no longer do.  We picked up using the whole plethora of ingredients from well tried recipes from around Asia and Europe.

My Eurasian Uncle Cornelius exemplified the closeness of Malaysians when I was growing up.
He personified Christmas to me, with a joy from his Dutch heritage and his ability to make magic of a day when he visited.  Mum and our Sri Lankan neighbour' s wife made curries.   I still recall the beauty of furniture in the lounge when we visited Cikgu Iskandar.  I picked up bad words in Tamil, Hokkien, Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin and Malay - and they did have a punch which can hold their own in an ocker Aussie pub.

Soccer, badminton, late night suppers, jungle and beach trial walks, hide outs on Friday arvos after school - they all had no racial identification.  There was a strong underlying and unspoken bond of just being humans, of growing up and of connecting to society.

What seemed like benign bureaucratic practises - like of being identified by race and religion, instead of just being Malaysian - in retrospect, evolved into tools of separation, social alienation and discrimination.  Critics blame the colonial authorities for laying down the seeds of the current socio-political structure in current day Malaysia.   They cite the "divide and rule" strategy utilised to manage a diverse society like Malaya before independence.   However, once tey were their own rulers, the politicians of the day reinforced this policy, instead of applying fresh and innovative approaches like meritocracy,  equity and tolerance.

As a child in Malaysia, I vaguely recall a night curfew imposed in Penang, due to riots and social disorder.  Such tools of social and political control can be primitive in looking back, for now there are other covert or other more effectivs tools of political manipulation, corruption in theft of state funds, mass cajoling of the emotions of voters and gerrymandering of electorate borders.

Malaysia's ideal democratic practices have sadly been whittled or hijacked as the nation moved to the 21st century.   There has grown a culture of dependency on state hand outs to a majority of its denizens, who dominate the military, civil service, universities, police, banks and economic or trading monopolies.  The growing emphasis by a series of Prime Ministers since the 1980s in linking political power with financial kleptocracy measures has taken a severe impact on the nation's vibrancy and future prospects.

Malaysia is a land of abundant resources, scenic landscapes and potential.  It has been the less than desired management by its leaders that have now rendered it less attractive for investment potential than its nearby neighbours if Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore.

My birthplace has petroleum resources, agricultural wealth, manufacturing capability and strides between China, India and Australasia.  Yet some key factors continues to suppress its future potential - leadership, mindset, history and inertia.  Blame shifting has also been a characteristic of its past.  Soon there may be no one else to put the blame on, apart from themselves.

Before the arrival of Covid, the seeds of problems and embedded issues have nor been resolved. A pandemic only amplifies the weaknesses and rifts already raging in a nation.

So far from the evening equatorial thunderstorms, smells and sights of a colourful street and the chatter of boyhood mates, I reflect - can Malaysia turn round a corner?

#yongkevthoughts

Growing up in Penang

 The nostril arousing cooking aromas wafted through the house.

It was a hands on encounter of delightfully trying to second guess the source of the ingredient utilised.  At times, it was irresistible to just go downstairs to see what Mummy was dishing up over the stove. 

The equatorial afternoons can be oppressive outside. So on a public holiday or weekend, we would most likely be preserved behind closed doors with the air conditioning fully switched on. I would go through  a spectrum of reading material, which would reveal the wonder and complexity of the world outside.  

Cocooned as I was, I could hear the cries of passing vendors, visitors to the house at the gate and at times, the rumblings of a budding thunderstorm.   Best of all was listening to the radio, with voice inflections, pronounciations and enchanting beats of music. 

Friends from school would drop by on their bikes.  We would chat outdoors during the coolish evenings and rattle about several things, building up our individual art of conversation and developing a rapport not afforded elsewhere.  Time would seem endless, the mood so relaxed and then hunger for street food may arise. 

The casualness and accessibility for dining out were taken for granted.  As a child, it was a treat to go out in the car with Papa late at night, to not go far in a user friendly city, to find groups of people huddled over low tables enjoying their supper, even if it was a school

night.   The diversity of food offerings was taken for granted by me, the charcoal fire pots were feeding into a culinary delight and we bumped into other families known to us.  There was no need to change our clothes, as we took such trips already suited in our pyjamas - all ready to scramble into bed on reaching home in the late of an exciting evening.  Steam warm baos were a late evening treat.

Politics, race and disappointment were not on the menu.  Through optimistic childhood eyes, I recall only encouragement, inspiration and laughter.   Uncles and aunts dropped by, engaged in chatter which only widened my mindset and appreciation of the outside world. My Mum's sis Keow Ee was always there to make sure I was recovering well when I had a childhood ailment.  I particularly looked forward to sitting down in the lounge during visits by Papa's youngest brother Hong Beng.  Their youngest sister Kuchai cooked the best dishes - and still does in Island Glades, south of George Town. Brother Kin On took much of his effort and time to run things around the house, organise logistics for me and  do so much more. Aunt Suan always had a big beaming smile for me.

Inevitably there was cognisance of an evolving and challenging society as another veneer in life to grapple with.   My eldest brother was going to university for the first time, albeit in another city, when his inter-state train arrived smack in the middle of the nation's largest and most serious riots after a general election.  An uncle would be involved in a road accident as the over bright sunlight  temporarily blinded his sight - but he would survive.    The national airline had an aircraft that crashed in a remote swamp on the short haul between the capital city and Singapore. 

My thoughts were already articulated in the English language, although I learnt various dimensions of other languages - in varying degrees. I still recall Cikgu Othman at Francis Light Primary School who sufficiently encouraged me to master the official National Language for me to win an award.

If we see the best of a multi-racial society to make the most of it, we reap the benefits of diversity and harmony.   I rode a manual bike to Penang Free School with Ishak, the son of a navy father.  My Mum infused in me the love of Sri Lankan curries, the recipes of which were taught from a neighbour.   Uncle Cornelius gave me the best Christmases as I was growing up.

Dr. Yeoh and Uncle Harry organised beach outings, dinners at hilltop eatouts overseeing the beach and facilitated sleep overs with their children at their house.  Robert Donald Julian was the first American school boy I met and know of.   

From the base in Malaysia, my first tropical island visit overseas was Phuket.   Suchart and his family took care of me like a brother.   I gradually learnt to be grateful for and appreciative of special individuals who navigated me on my journey and let me see what is truly important, cutting off distractions, managing disruptions and optimising dilemnas. 

My childhood in Penang was enchanting, practical and with a strong foundation for various aspects of life.  

Malaysia marks its 65th year of independence from Britain on 31 August, 2022. 

#yongkevthoughts

Comparing Between Two Nations

 

What a contrast, or more of the same?

Nation I left behind: Malaysia with a population of around 33 million, turns 65 on 31 August 2022, given independence by Britain that long ago.

1.  Political leadership encouraging
looking inwards.
2.   Society becoming more divisive over plural and religious diversity.
3.    Getting less competitive than its neighbours.
4.     Falling ranking significantly in corruption management and occurence, according to Transparency International.
5.     Rewriting and recognising history according to the view of the powers that are.
6.     De-emphasising the language of her past colonisers.
7. A federation that is showing cracks on its structure, although still with strong central control based on a sort of Westminster system.
8.   Rampant misuse of public monies, third party commissions from projects and socio-political enrichment of a few kleptocratic individuals.
9.    Increased empowerment of royalty in the governance, economic and cultural landscape.
10.  Reduced social cohesion, due to long term strong discrimination practices in official government policies and mainstream media manipulation.
11.  Unceasing exploitation of her natural resources, high need for foreign investment levels and belittling of its Indigenous population.
12.   Joyous diversity and heritage in culinary offerings.
13.   One of the highest vehicle accident rates on her public roads and highways.
14.   Increasing commercialisation of personal health care.
15.   Aging society risks are not that high, due to larger family sizes in her majority population.
16.   Nothing like understanding the Malaysian, of whatever racial background, on the street like in a coffee shop.
17.   Heavily reliant on migrant labour, while at least 2 million of its citizens have emigrated and settled overseas in past 10 years. Largest group of immigrants are from Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Phillippines.
18.   Many of her students are studying in universities overseas.
19.    Equatorial climate assures almost the same timing of sunrise and sunset, with only monsoon and dry seasons.
20.   Strategic location in terms of geopolitics, shipping and air flight routes, natural resources and possible manipulation by powerful nations.

Nation I embraced: Australia marked its 234 years since it was colonised and 122 years as a Federation in 2022. Population of around 26 million in its Great Southern Land.

1. Political leadership unduly follows the Government of the USA and the political landscape is divided strongly on labels and party thinking.
2.   Society getting more divisive due to less equality in incomes, social interaction, less shared cultural values, mainstream media
manipulation, political structures and more emphasis on disagreement than on common values.
3.   Getting less competitive than its OECD nations.
4.   Greater incidence of public and commercial rorts, corruption and misuse of public monies, especially relating to infrastructure projects, bringing down Australia's Transparency International ranking to below the top ten in the world.
5.  Greater recognition and acknowledgent of the history of the peoples and Country before 1788.
6.  Aussie speak continues to evolve and grow, despite the presence of minorities who came from around 200 nations and a growing cohort who cannot speak
English well.
7.  The Federation is relatively still strong, although the wider independent powers of the separate States were highlighted during Covid management in 2020 and 2021.   The shrinked actions, role and responsibilities of the Federal Government in  Canberra also came to the fore.
8.    Increasing divide between consumers, workers and the public on one hand and the well funded, strongly networked with strong political connections on the other.
9.     The love affair with British royalty continues, the Republican movement gets some attention every few years and Australia participates in the annual landmark Eurovision singing contest.
10.    High level of political correctness demands exist in official government policies, but there can be a different reality at ground level.
11.    Continued exploitation of its natural resources with little value add, a wider extent of foreign ownership and increasing awakening for more recognition of its Indigenous First Nations.
12.   Joyous diversity and heritage in culinary offerings.
13.   Vehicle and driver safety has dropped with more aggressive behaviour on the roads, laden with more and larger vehicles, less civility and more traffic in capital city areas.
14.   Increasing commercialisation of personal health care, although the Medicare public health system is still better than in the UK or USA, though behind Canada's.
15.   An aging society, with birth rates higher amongst immigrant demographics.  Refer to Point 17.
16.    Nothing like understanding the Aussie on the street like in a footy or cricket game, a cafe, a private exclusive club or a RSL joint.
17.    Heavily reliant on migrant labour for many services - and also on permanent migration to ensure economic growth. The current biggest contributors to immigration are Brits, New Zealanders and Indians.
18.    Many young people still make the trek overseas for work, fun and adventure, even if for a short while.
19.   A unique range of climate zones from monsoonal to temperate, with daylight savings practised in the more populous states and a transposition of the British seasons over a rather different climate pattern in Australia.
20.   Location of the Antipodes, which should be safely tucked away with clean environments, umcontaminated produce and far away from the troubles of the rest of the world.

#yongkevthoughts

Behind Racist Impressions

 My experience living in Australia for more than 30 years does not synchronise with the news reports in America of Asians or Asian looking people suffering violence with racial suggestions as victims of robbery attacks.

Racism can be a two edged sword.  It may not just be articulated by individuals or groups representing so called mainstream society on minorities - but can also occur the other way.  Racism can be subtle or covert, especially when the law or public policy is to ban it, or overt, as in societies like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, India, Fiji and Myanmar.    Is it better to be able to read racism openly or do we have to put up with it in various shades like career progress ceilings, restricted admissions to prime universities, unspoken loops or barriers and moves behind your back?  I would rather be physically attacked than be discriminated in subtle and gradual ways.   Talking of individuals who commit violence on the streets of New York, Sydney, London or Perth, there may be unknown factors behind the video clips of such attacks.   Is it economic, with no racial intentions at all, or is it an unstable mental health manifestation?   Can one be in the wrong place at the wrong time in crime hidden areas?  African-Americans and Asian-Americans can come together being discriminated by whites, but Blacks are seen to attack Asians and Asians are heard to look down on Blacks.  Maybe we cannot interpret everything through an ethnic identification lens.

As the population of minority groups come to dominate the flavour and flow of certain suburbs in Western nations, the phenomenon of a perceived safety in numbers seems to manifest itself.  Increasing numbers of suburbs across Greater Sydney are populated more and more by people who are not Caucasian in background.   The so called white Aussie, on visiting such suburbs, can not be blamed to feel possibly left out, as if they have been pushed out of such suburbs by creeping economic, educational and business disparities. 

The demographics in regional Australia can be different.  I reckon one of the root causes of racism anywhere, even in Malaysia, is the unwillingness of so called racists to reach out half way to better understand the so called other side.   Attacks we see by people who seem racist also indicate that  that they often have no social connections with people of another ethnic background.

China nationals have arrived in significant numbers to reside in Australia in the so many years before Covid ravaged 2020.   They entered residency through higher education, the better purchasing power of a rising middle class back in China and have made business and trading more dynamic in Australian capital cities. 

The social habits of China nationals however can be very different from Malaysian migrants who have benefitted from growing up in a multi-racial and more diverse society.   Those who migrate from Malaysia tend to mix better with all racial groups in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.   China migrants tend to stick together amongst themselves, perhaps due to their increased reluctance to speak English and always proud to articulate primarily in Mandarin (unless they have no choice).   Malaysian migrants like to try a diversity of the wonderful culinary dishes available in contemporary Australia, while most migrants from China I am told, rightly or wrongly, tend to stick to their hot pots, Ma La Tang (spicy hot soups) and niche dishes.   The opportunity of Caucasians to know China migrants better is limited to working with them or marrying one of them.   When more numbers of a specific ethnic community congregate in certain suburbs, they find they can go through a viable life pattern in Australia without  necessarily making social networks with other races.   This reality can also apply to migrants of Korean, Thai, Latin American, Polynesian and Turkish  origin across Australia, often not out of their choice.

On the other hand, Indian migrants tend to be expressive, are comfortable speaking English and have a more gregarious personality.

The chances and risks of getting beaten up by anyone increases when one has no choice but to be out on the streets and lanes when thugs, unstable people and petty criminals tend to hang about.   If I have to do a second job at a fast food joint that closes late at night, I can increase my chances of meeting violence while I transverse a lonely park or busy drug peddler's lane on the way home.   If I have to take public transport, I increase my chances of  coming across a person who already has addiction, alcohol and mental health issues.   Such violent individuals can really beat up anyone in their path - and their social intelligence and experience are so depraved.  Many recent migrants anywhere lead a battler's life making ends meet, especially in these Covid ravaged  .

Malaysia - Serious Covid 19 Wave

I deeply pray that the escalating spread of Covid 19 in Malaysia is better controlled, overcome and resolved. However, how can members of the public better protect and manage themselves, should the epidemic escalate? The public and private hospital system can go into operational chaos and rupture, buckling by the sheer numbers of patients. Are managers of such facilities already preparing, securing vital equipment and supplies, while also revamping their work processes, retraining their staff and enhancing their business continuity plans? Foreign governments can impose tighter restrictions on movement of individuals who have been in Malaysia. For Malaysian nationals overseas, they may have to delay their return to their home country. The higher education sector around the world and in Malaysia itself has vested interests already shaken up in 2020 - and a serious rampage of Covid 19 within the nation itself can make things worse. If the public health scenario deteriorates in Malaysia, neighbouring Singapore faces a double edged sword of consequences. The island republic has served admirably well as a refuge from turmoil. What is different now are the higher risks of infection for a well developed island that is only separated by two causeways from the Malaysian peninsular. This has manifestations in the procurement of supplies, trade, political relationships, shipping and transport management. At the same time, Singapore's attraction as a beacon for investment, financial stability, reliable governance and an excellent medical services hub can be enhanced. Will some nations rush to help the Malaysian people and government in such a time of need? The UK, EU, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore are most likely to help. What about the able Islamic fellowship nations and members of ASEAN? The Federation of Malaysia also poses unique angles of management, as it is separated by the South China Sea into two geographical areas. Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, has recently experienced a spike of new Covid 19 cases each day - and so have Selangor, Johor and Kelantan sited on the Peninsular. Will the varying political treatment of each state by the central government play into the effectiveness of helping out the common person on the street, caught up in the ugliness and confusion of an epidemic? Are there sufficient supplies already available of testing kits, vaccinations and numerous items required in anciallary medical services? There is also a risk in heightening racial, religious, cultural and social sensitivities during a period of a health crisis. The social demographics are another spanner in the works, as already experienced before Covid 19 arrived. Earlier waves of Covid 19 affected specific groups of Malaysians, but the recent outbreaks have become more pervasive and embracing. Will there be sufficient leadership and innovative approaches to curtail the relentless spread of this Coronavirus as soon as possible? A strong infection wave will also further weaken the economic and financial structure of a country that depends on investment growth, exports, tourism, agriculture and petroleum resources. Malaysia plays a smaller role than India in providing call centres and corporate accounting support, but can have its reliability damaged in such services with a Covid epidemic. The durian plantations have already suffered with curbs on international border entry, collapse of tourism and restrictions on air travel in the past 15 months. What is next? 7 May 2021 #yongkevthoughts