Reasons for M’sians to be optimistic

WHEN I first arrived in Malaysia in 1997, the country resembled one big construction project.

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was being built, as were the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.

The nation was also preparing the sites for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, to be held the following year.

Despite 1997 being the year of the Asian Financial Crisis, there was a sense of determination and pride in the air.

Everyone felt that Malaysia could pull through. Indeed, the phrase “Malaysia Boleh” was coined then.

Workers were racing against time to wrap up the construction of the Bukit Jalil Stadium to host the Games, which was a great success.

The Games’ theme song Standing in the Eyes of the World sung by Ella still brings tears of joy to my eyes today, especially the Bahasa Malaysia version.

I fell in love with Malaysia on arrival. I have never stopped believing in the potential of its people, especially its youths.

The Covid-19 pandemic, although it has brought tough times, has allowed us to see the true Malaysian spirit come to the fore.

We see sacrifice, solidarity and hope. We will need more of these before we can defeat the virus.

To explore the sentiments of our community, I asked my friends and students – Malaysians and non-malaysians who live in this country: “Despite the current challenging situation, what is the main reason you are optimistic about Malaysia’s future?”

I was inundated with responses, 10 of which are as follows:

1. Everyone said they are optimistic about the future because of the Malaysian people, particularly the youths. A highly educated, tolerant and collaborative population is indeed any nation’s biggest and most valuable asset.

2. The peace-loving, warm and generous Malaysian culture continues to be the rock-solid foundation of a robust and resilient society.

3. The speed and efficiency exhibited by the national vaccination programme are both a source of hope and a testament to the country’s good infrastructure.

4. The diversified economy, strong banking system, modern infrastructures and the solid fundamentals of the country will enable the nation to bounce back rapidly once the situation allows for movement restrictions to be eased.

5. The robust, neutral and professional civil service that prioritises service to the people despite the change of government.

6. A strong, flexible and highly focused business sector that has largely been able to pivot and respond effectively to the challenges of the pandemic.

7. A history of overcoming hard times and emerging stronger.

8. The country’s rich natural resources, mild climate and few natural disasters.

9. A diverse education system.

10. A stable legal system. Many of the respondents thanked me for inviting them to frame their thoughts positively, and focus on reasons for optimism rather than sources of anxiety.

One of my students, who sent me three reasons instead of one, told me the question had spurred a healthy discussion among her family members.

The challenges brought on by the pandemic are real and many of us, especially those who lost loved ones, had our lives changed forever.

But when we are faced with a situation that we cannot change, such as this global pandemic, we need to remember that we have a choice in how we respond to it.

Remaining hopeful, kind and generous is a choice that we should all consider making, as well as encourage others to do the same.

Malaysia has a special way of making a stranger feel at home.

Whenever I touch down in Kuala Lumpur from my overseas trips, and hear the Malaysia Airlines cabin crew say, “Selamat pulang ke tanah air (welcome home)!”, I feel awash with emotion even though I am not a Malaysian citizen.

Let us never forget that it is our intentions, choices and hard work that will secure a better future for us and for our children.

As we celebrate the National Day this Aug 31, I feel that we are all “standing in the eyes of the world”.

Selamat Hari Merdeka!

PROF MUSHTAK AL-ATABI Provost and chief executive officer,

Heriot-watt University Malaysia; Deputy chairman, Vice-chancellors’ Council for Private Universities