IT IS HOME
Later, the family went to the cinema and the boy volunteered to buy the movie tickets. He told the one who manned the ticket counter that the tickets were for four adults and one child. He was one of the four adults.
His younger sister scolded him for doing so because an adult ticket would be pricier. The boy replied he was already an adult and he had his MyKad to prove it.
The MyKad is a hot item, not only for a child, but for foreigners who are willing to fork out hundreds or even thousands of ringgit to get their hands on it.
They want it either through legal or illegal means, because they yearn for the benefits that Malaysians enjoy as citizens.
Unfortunately, some Malaysians have taken their citizenship for granted. Perhaps, they have yet to understand how lucky they are to be Malaysians.
As some countries are struggling to provide jobs for their youth, Malaysia has thousands to offer, and on May 20 there will be mega job fairs with 20,000 jobs from 300 employers up for grabs.
As some governments are struggling to feed their people, Malaysia has more than enough food that food wastage is becoming an issue nowaday. Malaysians waste 15,000 tonnes of food daily, including 3,000 tonnes of food that is still edible.
As some children in other countries dodge bullets while on their way to school, our children can do so without worrying about their safety.
As some nations barely get visits from state leaders, Malaysia has been rolling out the red carpet to welcome a steady flow of foreign leaders, with the latest being Bahrain’s King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa.
As some economies struggle to stay afloat, Malaysia’s strong fundamentals allow us to weather uncertainties and challenges plaguing the world economy.
Malaysians are lucky and many of us have realised this. The “Negaraku” initiative is a perfect platform for us to express our love for this country.
On Wednesday, our national carrier, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), pledged to take part and support the “Negaraku” initiative here in Putrajaya before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
MAS chief executive officer Peter Bellew was spot on when he described “Negaraku” is about peace, progress, hard work and the beauty of Malaysia’s diversity in terms of her people, cultures and faiths.
But, I am baffled and sad to see how some Malaysians go all out to undo and run down what we have. Some have even said Malaysia is a failed state. What do they mean by a “failed state”?
How can Malaysia be a failed state when there is enough food for all; there is roof over our heads; there is a sense of security without the fear of being hit by stray bullets; and laughter fills our lives.
Do they brand Malaysia a failed state just because things are not to their liking, or are they upset when they do not get what they want? Of course, Malaysia is not perfect. Nothing is, except God.
But, I have this country, with all its flaws and beauty, to call home, and it is “negara ku” (my country).