http://www.globalbersih.org/2012/04/18/bersihstories-clement-ting-petaling-jaya-formerly-in-melbourne/
I was once a Malaysian that held 0% interest in politics and love for
the country. I had the belief that as long as I can stand on my own two
feet and excel academically, I will be able to succeed anywhere in the
world. I never had much love for the country much as I felt the country
did not have much love for me. I studied in Australia for my 3 year
degree where I had planned to migrate, live there, and die there. Having
met people from various backgrounds and nationalities made me felt
highly embarrassed to be a Malaysian. Every time a foreigner asked me
about my country, I often came up as highly critical.
This all changed after having a chat with an Indonesian girl who
overheard my criticism about my country. She was 17+ back then. Yet, she
was able to change my life and views completely. I remember she told me
that this is the country that I grew up in. No matter how bad it has
treated you, this will always be your home. Irreplaceable memories grew
from it. Unforgettable friends were made there. Our families live there.
Our teachers, neighbours, and everyone else that we love, are still
there. Yes, Australia is a better country to live in. A higher income,
an easier lifestyle, and a more promising career. But will you be
satisfied? Will you be content, living in a foreign land with no roots?
Though 3 years younger than me, she was able to think more maturely. I
felt highly ashamed after that, realizing how cowardly I was, I began
to ponder upon my actions. For many nights before closing my eyes to
sleep, I began to think about my past, my memories and my friends. Yes,
those were sweet memories. I remember the tough times that I had went
through, the silly things that I did, the sad or even my painful
moments.
Looking back, these are the experiences that I can share with my
friends, make a laugh about it, and felt great to have live through life
in this way. This is the fun-painful times that I too wish my future
children will be able to live in. To have a life that I once had, to
have a place that they too can term it their one true home, and when
they reach my age, talk about it with their friends, and too, smile at
it.
My plan was to always run away from this problem. Never once have I
thought of facing it.
However, the advice I was given by the girl also
made me realize how fortunate I was to have an education, more so one
from a prestigious university. It made me realize that if I can stay
abroad, who is going to take care of those that I love that are still
stuck in the country? Not all my friends and relatives are fortunate as
me. Some failed to even enter college because they were just not gifted
academically. Who is going to take care of them, if not people like me?
More importantly, who is going to take care of my parents while I am
gone?
All these thoughts changed me completely. I soon realised that there
were many Malaysians, working hard to pave the way towards a true
democracy by standing up to the current government. This provided a
shed of light to what was what once seemed to be completely dark cave in
my world. The unravelling of Bersih 2.0 was this light for me. It made
me understand how much home meant. When we sang the national anthem at
Federation Square in Melbourne as one people and one voice, I could truly
appreciate its meaning, for the first time as a Malaysian.
I would like to end this by sharing a quote from a friend which has touched my heart. “Why is it human nature to remember
their bitter memories better than their happy ones? Because it is also
human nature that we continue to never stop searching for our happy
ones. Would you like to join me and search for a happy future together?”
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