Uncle Tan's Hopes
Another sad day is here.
Teng Ta's father passed away on early Friday morning, after battling brain tumour (and a fading memory ala Alzheimer's and with diminished mental capacity) for a period of close to 1 year, or so. Teng Ta is what I call my former Singaporean housemate, during our days in London, in his cozy apartment in Whitechapel.
From a workaholic corporate high-flyer in a multinational corporation to a quiet life devoted to religion, as a pastor, in his final years - Uncle Tan's transformation was nothing short of spectacular. He was quietly unassuming, yet inspiring in his humility.
I remember what Uncle Tan once mentioned to me during one of our conversations, many, many years ago. He related that in the true friendship that Teng Ta and I have, he saw hope that one day - the Malaysia-Singapore relationship could vastly improve, on a substantive basis - and not be the "volleyball of politicians".
He imagined a day when people could stop "wearing flags" on their sleeves "and the past as their badges" and to treat each other first, as human beings rather than citizens of geographical locations and allegiance. He saw what we were doing as defying convention, "building bridges" across races, nations and the thick of prejudice.
I've known Teng Ta for 13 years now, since our university days and our bond of friendship is now stronger than ever - even though I only get to see him 2-3 times a year. He now has a lovely wife, Karen and a baby boy - he's living a pretty blessed life, which I'm rather envious of, sometimes.
On Sunday, I will be leaving for Singapore for a few days, to visit Teng Ta's family and to pay my respects. Teng Ta had driven up all the way to KL to visit me, when my mother passed away in late 2004. I never expected to be returning the visit, so soon.
The seeds of your hope we will carry with us, Uncle Tan. We will not forget your "amanah". May your soul rest in peace, with the blessings that you truly deserve. God bless you, Sir.
Teng Ta's father passed away on early Friday morning, after battling brain tumour (and a fading memory ala Alzheimer's and with diminished mental capacity) for a period of close to 1 year, or so. Teng Ta is what I call my former Singaporean housemate, during our days in London, in his cozy apartment in Whitechapel.
From a workaholic corporate high-flyer in a multinational corporation to a quiet life devoted to religion, as a pastor, in his final years - Uncle Tan's transformation was nothing short of spectacular. He was quietly unassuming, yet inspiring in his humility.
I remember what Uncle Tan once mentioned to me during one of our conversations, many, many years ago. He related that in the true friendship that Teng Ta and I have, he saw hope that one day - the Malaysia-Singapore relationship could vastly improve, on a substantive basis - and not be the "volleyball of politicians".
He imagined a day when people could stop "wearing flags" on their sleeves "and the past as their badges" and to treat each other first, as human beings rather than citizens of geographical locations and allegiance. He saw what we were doing as defying convention, "building bridges" across races, nations and the thick of prejudice.
I've known Teng Ta for 13 years now, since our university days and our bond of friendship is now stronger than ever - even though I only get to see him 2-3 times a year. He now has a lovely wife, Karen and a baby boy - he's living a pretty blessed life, which I'm rather envious of, sometimes.
On Sunday, I will be leaving for Singapore for a few days, to visit Teng Ta's family and to pay my respects. Teng Ta had driven up all the way to KL to visit me, when my mother passed away in late 2004. I never expected to be returning the visit, so soon.
The seeds of your hope we will carry with us, Uncle Tan. We will not forget your "amanah". May your soul rest in peace, with the blessings that you truly deserve. God bless you, Sir.
posted by Stingrayz | 3:04 PM
7 Comments:
truthfully, my non-malay friends doesn't seemed to last very long... a few years here and there.
Friendship takes up your time and I supposed being friends with people who are not of the same race takes double the time.. and there's also the part about being careful of what you say... just in case it's a racially sensitive issue.
And the worst part is sometimes, why do i have to defend some of the goverment's bumi policies?? i'm just a housewife!!
I do pray that I get to see what Uncle Tan wish for in my lifetime. At least the Singaporeans whom I met do value highly my knowledge and expertise. It doesn't help that one of our former leader (who I am sure was not treated well when he was young while he was in Singapore) always used Singapore as his bogeyman.
Even though Singapore is smaller, and younger than Malaysia, one of our better politician saw that the housing projects in Singapore would be good for Malaysia. In fact, Malaysia's Urban Development Authority was molded based on Singapore's HDB. Too bad pride got into the way....and this politician did warn about having our former leader in the Govt...
Well, let's pray for Uncle Tan...
Intan:
I don't think that it's that difficult, dear - provided that you don't surround yourself in a mono-racial environment and you're sensitive to the perspective and experience of others.
All friendships require an investment of time, regardless of race - you reap only what you sow.
But as for Malaysia, contrary to what most poeple say, I think that our historical baggage requires us to understand where we came from and where we're going to, for this country to survive.
I think the mixing between the races in Malaysia, must be done deliberately - and not be left to chance.
For if we do not take proactive steps, our children will not how to mix and integrate with other races. This will have adverse consequences for our present and also future.
As for the Bumiputra preference policy - you don't have to defend it, if you don't want to.
That's a personal right - after all, you weren't there (I'm assuming) when the NEP was drafted.
It's the right of the current non-Bumiputra generation to feel slighted at the the positive discrimination.
Their generation had no part in striking the NEP social contract deal - and any social contract deals, prior to that. They are bound by the deals made by their (political majority) forefathers.
As far they are concerned, they were born and bred here - and do not have any ties to mainland China or India (or any other originating country)
And they have every right to feel like that.
But there is no country in the world that does not go through an evolution, according to the rate of change that the people are prepared for.
Slavery took many, many years to wipe out in America (and only changed by virtue of a civil war) and racial discriminatination only formally ended, about 200 hundred years after that.
Democracy is only as perfect as our circumstances and our rate of acceptance - and absolute justice and meritocracy, if any - has always taken time.
The values of the people, must evolve with time, to accept it.
There are parts of the NEP, which I still defend.
The eradication of poverty (for all races equally) and the provision of scholarships to the poor Malays and Bumiputras
(But in addition, I believe that any family with a household income of RM12,000 a month and above, their children should not be entitled to scholarships or loans, unless academic results-wise, they're in the top 1% of the nation)
But there are parts of the NEP, which I think have failed and should be disbanded as it has made the Malays uncompetitive or put them (if not the nation) at a disadvantage.
For instance, the awarding of Government contracts and tenders based on political patronage to unqualified parties, the making of a mono-racially Malay civil service since the 80's, the politicization and wanton Islamization of educational institutions, the lowering of benchmark to ensure sufficient numbers of Malays graduates and professionals, etc.
We have to acknowledge both the benefits and weaknesses of the NEP's implementation. Defend it where necessary - for instance, in cases of protecting the poor.
But we should also acknowledge that rich and able Malays should not be entitled to forever suck dry the privileges, that are meant for the less fortunate.
Even with the NEP, the wealth disparity is the highest amongst the Malays. That must say something about how unfair we are, to our own - NEP theories aside.
All Malays have a responsibility in citizenship and a democracy - even housewives, Intan. ;)
That's why they gave us the right to vote and speak out.
Ervan:
Not in this lifetime, bro'.
Perhaps in the next 2-3 generations, as globalization forces these countries to be more pragmatic in their dealings with each other - to ensure mutual survival and prosperity.
But yes, the "bridge-building" must begin with us, today.
(Not a fancy half-bridge to nowhere lah);)
I've always believed in meritocracy, although I have to admit that I am fortunate to have been on the receiving end of pro-Malay policies where my education and career is concerned. I do hope for the sake of my kids and my country that we start thinking and acting global, instead of just dreaming it. I think someone once said on an episode of Debat Perdana regarding the NEP(he must've been a non-Malay opposition politician), "Instead of fighting over the small domestic financial pie, why don't we join forces to conquer the larger international market?" Or something like that.
Dian:
Very true, dear. We should be fighting for the bigger financial pie in the big world out there, outside of Malaysia.
But most Malaysians are not risk-takers by nature, they're consistent, safe and steady plodders.
Taking advantage of the benfits of globalization requires people with a big heart and vision - people who are not afraid to try and fail.
And in Malaysia, those types are but a minority - the majority fight for the domestic crumbs - which is normal for almost every country in the world.
The problem here is: the distribution is fought on the basis of race, not ability. And the weapons are political might, not knowledge-based.
It not only averts the better crust of the Malaysians rising; but also the better crust of the Malays.
It's time to go back to the drawing board and to draw strength from the other schools of thought of Malay mindset reform (other than the Mahathiristic "provision of maximum economic opportunities" school of thought)
These are the Revolusi Mental "cultural transformation" school of thought (to inculcate change substantive attitude change within the Malays, in the true spirit of Islam) and the Tun Dr Ismail "true Malaysian" school of thought - that we share this country with all Malaysians and that "ketuanan Melayu" is about self-mastery and not about manipulated political mastery over others.
But if it's any consolation, you're already in a multi-billion dollar company where some of the best Malays in the country, are beginning to take large global steps for Malaysia.
And that is something to rejoiced, in substance. :)
Lead your company, inspire others and the rest will follow.
Stingray bro,
Yeaps, we need more of the Tun Dr Ismail type of people in Malaysia. But, it will be hard as you need supporters to be on the top..
Dian,
i agree with Stingray. The young ones will lead. I just wished I could do more to help, but my calling is outside of your company. First, we are outside of Malaysia, be impartial, and perhaps we could help save Darfur....
Ervan:
All is not lost, bro'. Every so often in the UMNO General Elections - UMNO nominates and returns some good candidates in its top echelon - be it from the UMNO Supreme Council - all the way up to the vice-presidency.
The likes of Dato' Mustapa Mohamad, Dato' Shahrir Samad and Dato' Seri Rais Yatim are good signs that, that there are still wisdom within the UMNO delegates, to ensure that the capable and honest do get a chance to lead.
And if the leader is anything like Tun Dr Ismail, he would rather be right than popular.
If substantive change is is to come, it will come at its own pace, but convictions must keep on holding steady
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