LOVE THE COUNTRY,
AGOOD way to get fellow citizens to love Malaysia is to sing our national anthem while watching the Jalur Gemilang being hoisted.
Many citizens belt out N egaraku with pride. Some weep with joy when Malaysians win international events.
Such expressions of love for one’s country come naturally. It should be encouraged and transformed into positive contributions to our nation.
If not, it may just be gone with the wind. For example, football fans can be fanatical in their support for a club. They can easily turn into an unruly mob, acting on herd mentality, but turn sheepish when alone.
The love for our country should translate into concrete action. Singing the national anthem is good for recharging our spirits, but should not be the end result.
But, how can citizens love a country when they are not bothered about their own neighbourhood? If they have little love for their community, colleagues, customers, relatives or even family, how can they love the country?
Can hate-mongers, who are fond of condemning fellow citizens of a different race, language, culture, faith and opinion, love the country, which they unashamedly claim to do?
Should we continue to organise activities, which are more like affordable and good quality houses. This is the vision and dream of the sultan of Johor.
Dream houses costing under RM100,000, including semi-detached houses and bungalows, will be the sultan’s gift to the people of Johor in conjunction with his 59th birthday celebration.
He launched more than 1,800 houses under Phase 1. The housing scheme will be expanded to 10 districts in the state.
The houses will truly be a dream come true for the people as even low-cost houses cost more than RM100,000 these days.
The dream houses envisioned by the sultan will be for a multiracial community and truly affordable quality houses. Despite
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 prices being cheaper than the market rates, the quality of the dream houses will not be compromised.
The three-bedroom bungalow or semi-detached houses will have a 102 sq m floor space and are partially furnished.
Hopefully, this project by the sultan of Johor for Johoreans will reinvigorate the housing industry and spur housing developers to be more considerate and bring down prices.
Other state housing developers may emulate the dream house project of the sultan of Johor and make housing a dream come true for every Malaysian.
SAMUEL YESUIAH Seremban, Negri Sembilan