An Eye-opening Conversation

During Chinese new years, i visited my secondary school chinese literature tuition teacher.In this case, i will refer him as MR S. He is both benevolent and wise where he analysed the current issue in our country impartially besides offered some constructive advice to me in which i will commit to lifelong memory.

Tan : Happy cny new year teacher. How are you recently?

Teacher S : I am fine. Thx you.How are you too? Can adapt to life in KL?

Tan: Not so well.I hope i can finish my study as soon as possible and get away from this place, leaving behind sorrow and hatred.Traffic congestion is a perpetual nuisance and people there are snobbish and inconsiderate.( I mean some)They only care for themselves and like to isolate people with different opinion.That is very immature and the tendency to form clique only reflect the insecurity and the need for others to accomodate them.Such foolish and idiotic.

Teacher S: OIC. Nvm. When i was young, i was like you too, full of passion but hindered by obstacle.Yes, I agree,there bound to be people who are narrow minded and small minded.They are reluctant to accept others opinion and therefore they could only live within their "small world".Like pepatah"Katak dibawah tempurung".As for the traffich congestion, you have to bear with it.Take all this challenges as a chance for you to grow and become more tough.Do not budge from your stand easily. Be who you are and dont be swayed by others opinion.They are like "Satan" , waiting to engulf you and your dreams by demoralising and discouraging you.

Tan: Thx teacher.I need your opinion regarding my studies. I am reluctant to go overseas for several reasons. Top among them is the need to do CLP which is not sponsored by Government.( NOTE that in contract, every 6 month extention of study amount to 1 year extra bond).Secondly, the expenses provided by government is not enough which mean you have to fork out yur own money.Thirdly, you dont have the chance to learn islamic law which has gained inroad into the judicial mainstream.Forthly, it is very hard for you to keep pace with the current judicial development in our country and the cultural difference(民情)make things worse.

Teacher S: I totally agree with you.I always encourage people to see things from practical aspects.It is true that people always think that it is glamorous to go overseas and evrything is better there.However, in my opinion, it is more practical for you to obtain your degree in Malaysia and then study do your postgraduate study overseas.Not the other way round.This especially applies to social science subject such as law where we have to take into consideration the plight and needs of the society.

Tan: But my friend all say they want to gain experience wo...

Teacher S:You can gain experience anywhere you wan .If you go UIA, you can learn how to get along well with Malay and know more about Islam.It is most useful if you wan to join politics next time.

Tan: Ya. Maybe because most of them plan to migrate overseas next time.

Teacher S: This is what worried me.People always think badly about malaysia.But for me, malaysia is a good place to live.No matter how unbearable the living condition is in malaysia, We could still live in peace and prosperity.Does our country experience eartquake, racial clash ,extreme poverty? Are we forbidden from practicing our tradition and learning our mother tongue?We could complain how unfair the government is and yet we are still rich and prosperous.So what the big deal? What seem to be bothering them? Do you think overseas country do not experience racism? Racism is everywhere.It is inherent in human nature where we bound to resist things different from what we believe and practice.Take for instance, In australia, there are alot of cases where the mat salleh refuse to serve chinese as they label us as " yellow skin".Do you experience this in Malaysia? Absolutely not.You can shout at a malay salesgirl for not serving you well and get her apologies.Try this at Australia to the mat salleh? The consequences is sure to be not pleasant.

Tan: ya, i totally agree.

Teacher S: Moreover, when you go overseas, you will suffer form inferiority complex because you are just niot up to standard.Not that you are no good, just that this is not where you belong.Malaysia need people with vision and good mentality to usher in a new era of social justice and prosperity.Overseas country dont need you to make things better for them.The onus is on us to make things better for our future generation.

Tan: Ya, i agree.But nowadays the youngsters are becoming more and more apathetic about politic and social responsibility.All the care is their own wellfare and all they want is to enjoy life without a single thought about people around them.

Teacher S : Yes, that the dilemma.You can see the different between those who graduate form chinese medium school and english medium school. For student who graduated from chinese medium school, they are more alert to the need to do their part for the betterment of the society.Whereas for student s form english medium school, they more likely not talk about politic and care about themselves more tham others.However, we cannot generalise.There are exception.

Tan :Talk about politic ( eye blinking), what do you think about the current MCA saga?

Teacher S: That is ridiculous. Ong Tee Kiat is having an suicidal attempt to overthrow Chua soi Lek. I dont know how he think. As for me, there are many ways to destabilise chua power base. Now all the power is in his hand, he could slowly erode chua power base by offering some " bait" such as postion in cabinet.In a few years time, Chua will fade into oblivion and he will have full control over the party.He is too impatient .He should not clash headlong with chua as the backlash from his supporter is inevitable.He second fatal mistake is his refusal to step down as MCA president as he promised before the GM.This is fatal because he does not keep his word.This is a worse case scenario,surely sounf a death knell to his political career.if he steps down,at least he retain some form of dignity.During this few years, he could rebuild his imej by exposing government scandal and rebrand himself as the one who dare to fight for the truth in the best interest of the people.This is how politics is played.When MCA could not find a suitable leader to replace him, they will choose him again.Sadly he missed the chance.

Tan:Is MCA still playing its role in BN.

Teacher S: MCA is ineffective, but there is no denial that we still need MCA to ensure there is a check and balance in the entire political machinery,in which decision to the detriment of chinese population would face opposing voice from within.Malaysia could not run away from racial politics.We are still divided along the racial line.Hence,we must not miss the whole forest because of a few tree or throw the cart away because of a few bad apple.Just as Pakatan rakyat has DAP, BN must have MCA, so that no matter which side gain power, our chinese community rights is still being protected .If MCA leave BN,it would be disastrous as the vacancy would be replaced by PAS, as BN now has more cabinet post to offer.This would be catastrophic for the whole chinese community as there is no opposing voice from within and the decision made bound to be bias.

Tan:So, what do you think is the criterion of a good politician?

Teacher: For me, the most essential quality of a good politician is sincerity and humility.Many politician are too arrogant and refuse to connect and interact with the grass root level.Some of them in their election campaign portrayed themselves as big lawyer and big doctors.People are not here to admire you,or serve you, they are here waiting for to to serve them, to listen to their plight.Hence, next time if you have the chance to go into politics, the first thing you must do is to walk along side the people, visit their homes once in a while. There is no need for you to visit every house. Just select a few,( including all races) and listen to their concern----words do spread.

Tan: Thx teacher.I really learn alot from you. i will remember what you said to me before. Hopefully i can be a good politician next time, the one who are about people and value integrity.thx

teacher S: Welcome.take care.hope to hear from you soon.