The Proudest Moment
We did dress up too. When I asked my sisters how do I look? Both of them said, “dull.” Then, my husband interjected and said, “You are not going to be the center of attention for today.” That remarks was to tell me that my dressing was ok, I think.
As we stepped into the building, the first question that came to my mind was, “How many of them are Malaysians?” They were all dressed up and busy clicking their cameras. Friends were helping each others to ensure they look good when they are on the stage to take their scroll. Certainly, to ensure the mortar board is fixed tightly on to the hair.
Then, a huge sign board caught my attention. Many were queueing there to wait for their turn to take a photograph as the background. It reads, “The World Awaits…” . Immediately, I got excited and requested my sister to take a photograph, though my sister insisted that I could do it later. (Never take a photo in a hurry)
The theme, “The World Awaits” , the words are simple but with powerful meaning. It sends a message of the the importance and huge roles of the graduates when they step out from the compound of the university. It also gave the feelings that the graduates are now ready and challenges ahead of them are no obstacle! Although I was not one of them, I must admit that had a feeling that, “how I wish I am one of them!”
The hall was filled up quickly. I told my hubby that the administration is smart. While waiting for the ceremony to start, they put up some publicity about the university on the huge screen.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, I browsed through the booklet with names of recipient of medal awards and graduates. Again, the same question came to my mind, “How many of them are Malaysians?” I found my sister’s name, Fong Kam Ling and shown it to my dad.
Speakers delivered speeches which to me of, “non traditional contents”. One of the speakers mentioned about, “not to work, to be hated and etc…” in his speech to the graduating students and guests, mostly parents who have been telling their children all this while to follow the “norm” of the society ie, do well in your studies then, you will get a good job and earn a good living. However, the message of this particular speaker was to be passionate about what you are doing and to be different. The speeches were enlightening and made me to reflect upon myself too.
A graduating student delivered her speech and stressed on appreciation, by taking the opportunity to thank the lecturers who shared their knowledge. She gave an excellent speech, some parts with lines about what the lecturers had told them in the class and questions she has been asking herself throughout her studies in the university.
The speeches, I could sum up, it was not ‘robotic’. It was an expression of “freedom of thoughts” . The environment in the unversity provided the students to express themselves without much restriction despite it was in a formal or official ceremony. They could share their feelings without the worries to be laughed at.
After the ceremony, my sister was busy taking photographs with her friends. These are a few of her friends, all are Malaysians. Few have graduated from this university and currently working in Singapore. 
I wanted to tell them to come back to Malaysia and serve the nation and country. I did not. I used to but stopped saying so. It is an understandable moves to remain in Singapore. I know they are “indebted” to the city state. Some of them need to pay back the loan and the need to take into consideration of the currency exchange rate. Perhaps, consideration of the working opportunities and environment. One of them is pursuing his education further. In some cases, it was our government policies which has “refused” and failed some of them first, and leaving them not much of an option but to cross over to the city state.
I could still remember that it was just a click of the mouse that my sister completed her application forms for the course and loan. In fact, we did not even accompany her to the university for the admission. She took the bus. The transportation was arranged by Malaysians (seniors of the university). It was through internet that the seniors contacted the freshies and forwarded the assistance.
I know it was not easy for my sister to complete her course. It was tough for her as she is from different education system. Many Malaysians have done it and I remember telling her that all she needs is to pass her examinations and enjoy her university days. I am not expecting flying colors from her.
A few days trip to the city state, it has widen my horizon. I am not going to write about the visit to the National Museum of Singapore.
Throughout the convocation, I believe the proudest moment was not felt only by the graduates when they were on the stage, but the parents and family members who attended the convocation.
When we were all back home, I asked my sister this question, ” How many Malaysians received the medal awards for excelling in their studies?” Her answer was, “Many.”
( I took some time to write this piece. My mind and feelings were not “in order.” The feelings were “messy”. However, I told myself that I need to “rearrange” it and get the feelings out “in order.” I am proud of Malaysians to be doing so well in the city state but, I am concern with the “lost” suffered by Malaysia. )
Let’s congratulate
All the new graduates
Since not all are so fortunate
For the world to await with such good fate
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 030808
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Comment by Samuel Goh Kim Eng — August 3, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
Hi Po Kuan,
I am one of those Malaysian who went through Nanyang Technological University education system. I did all my secondary education in a Sekolah Kebangsaan.
You did the right thing. It is difficult to get them to go back to Malaysia as i believe all of them are now saddled with a S$ dollar loan.
The Singapore has done an excellent job in attracting and supporting foreign students especially Malaysians to get a quality education and they should remain and repay the kindness of the Singapore government and honour their contract/loan/scholarship terms.
Having said that; Hujan Batu Di Negeri Orang , Hujan Emas Di Negeri Sendiri.It is still not your own home.
lastly, congratulations to your sister!NTU has prepared me well and it is still helping in my professional career as its reputation is getting better and better every year.Congratulations again.
Comment by ivan — August 3, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
sadly, these malaysians dont fit into the scheme of ketunan melayu. i dont know when or if ever the country will wake up and get rid of this misguided policy to stop the brain drain. yes, they are as malaysians as anyone but many will leave, contribute and serve others and never to return.
Comment by yh — August 3, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
Congrats to your sis on her graduation.
Singapore is more than a tiny red dot. Its sovereign funds have reached the far corners of the world. In other words, Singapore’s economy has globalised and not dependent on the Malaysian hinterland.
Its biotech has gone nano while Malaysia’s biovalley is still struggling to be born. It’s such a shame cos our country is rich in biodiversity with our rainforests.
Comment by cheang — August 3, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Your post brought back many fond memories for me. During the late eighties/early nineties, there were already so many Malaysian students convocating in Singapore. Yes, it wasn’t
easy for many, especially those who entered the system at tertiary level. Kudos to your sister..with opportunity and hard work, she can be confident that she will continue to do well.
In spite of being often labeled “kiasu” or “kiasi”, i find that we can emulate the Singaporean’s ’spirit of excellence’, which is instilled as the bedrock of their civil service. Not that they are perfect, but civil servants from junior staff to top level leaders are reminded that they are foremost SERVANTS to the people, irregardless of race, religion etc. This attitude(as well as integrity) is very lacking in Malaysian leadership. It is no surprise the mess our country is in.
My son loves this little song…
The wise man built his house upon the rock (3x)
and the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods went up (3x)
And the house on the rock stood firm!
(feel free to substitute with “foolish man” “sand” “fell flat”…)
Ah, wisdom from the mouth of babes
Comment by Leong Mei — August 3, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
We cannot expect young talent and brains to return and stagnate in a non-nurturing environment in Malaysia. The world is their oyster. Perchance one day, reform will take root here and they may return to serve the country. No one wants to leave their family unless they have to.
Comment by clearwater — August 4, 2008 @ 10:45 am
I hope your feelings are well rearranged now…
I am one of those… well… in National University of Singapore…
How many of them are Malaysians? Tonnes of them… in fact in NUS, the Malaysians contributed no less than 40% of the schools and halls activities…
As to go back Malaysia… well, until the 3-year-working-bond finished, most people will prefer to stay in their safe zone…
I told myself to be different though… but it’s gotta be long long way to go… at least until I finished my master degree, finished serving up my bond, and then get my PhD somewhere else…~~
I like my home, more than the glorious city state… oh well… I’m weirdo…
Comment by Zurena — August 4, 2008 @ 11:37 am
Congrat to your sis and all the new grad of NTU.
Malaysia needs to change in order to make a better place to live in. Equality among all races and oppurtunity to all. Singapore government has done well and their country is enjoying growth and stability. Malaysia is still far away behind and needs to learn from them in some aspect and good governing.
Comment by Leong WK — August 5, 2008 @ 12:42 am
Read it all. In Mahathir’s Malaysia, over 40% of the population lives under constitutionally mandated and perpetual state sanctioned racism. It is verging on illegality to even bring up the subject - even in parliament.
Non-malays live under considerable and widespread economic, educational, electoral and even religious restrictions and also have to live with the risk of racially motivated stirring from malay politicians who could put one nation to shame. And don’t ask about illegal aliens, they are safely locked up in detention centres.
Unsurprisingly, some malay policies have played upon resultant fears of racial tensions and the difficulties non-malays face in creating their own political voice to shore up a captive vote in the ethnic electorate.
Starting up a company or even purchasing land and property is harder and more expensive for non-malays. The only way to alleviate their permanent designation as a second-class citizen is to convert to Islam and thus enjoy partial legal acceptance as a bumi.
This Malaysia, a land where racism is used to justify racism, is Mahathir’s creation and if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black, then I need a new palette.
Perhaps you may have heard of the axiom making its rounds among the Malaysian bloggers:
“If it is a malay issue, it is a national issue. If it is a Chinese issue, it is a racial issue. If it is an Indian issue, it is not an issue.”
That is the problem with Malaysia. The Chinese and the Indians are made to feel as if Malaysia is for the malays, and not for the citizens of Malaysia. Even the textbooks are often written as if addressing the malays instead of Malaysians, with references to Islam and other malay cultural aspects.
Just look at Singapore. In spite of their being a multiracial society completely lacking in national resources, they are now a developed country. Why?
Because the people there are united. There is no presumption that the average citizen is a Chinese or any serious programme giving a particular race special rights.
The presumption that betrayal, dishonesty and greed are innate qualities of a Chinese is simply as abhorrent as the presumption by some Chinese that malays smell bad, are lazy, and extremely religious to the point of martyrdom. Such stereotyping accomplishes nothing.
If Chinese kids won’t die for Malaysia, we should not jump to the conclusion that Chinese cannot be trusted. Instead, we should consider it equally among other possibilities, such as the government’s policies creating a feeling of unfair treatment despite the premise that we are all equal as citizens of Malaysia.
We know what the original intentions of the malay special privileges provision in the Merdeka Constitution were, but to maintain that it is a carte blanche for all manner of discrimination based on the bumi/non-bumi divide is certainly straining credibility.
Now that the commanding heights of the Malaysia economy have fallen into the hands of malay capitalists 50 years after independence, is it wrong to appeal for a new consensus based on social sector and need instead of race?
From the above, it is clear that the question of the constitutionality of the quota system as it has been practised since 1971 especially in totally malay institutions has never been tested.
Because the government imposes racial quota in government departments and education, therefore Singapore and other countries take fortune at the tide. For years, there has been brain drain to our neighbour.
I called my newfound friend earlier who works in Singapore. Somehow, the conversation ended up on Malaysians holding top positions in Singapore.
Well, I have a good friend who is currently working with a top-notch investment company in Singapore. When my new friend found out, immediately said, “No wonder that Pak Lah person was mentioning about the brain drain in Malaysia!”
Well, I know a lot of doctors and scientists are working overseas. A number of my school alumni are actually working overseas and not in Malaysia. Some are doing well in Boston, London, to name a few. It is even funnier to hear stories of some of my school alumni to accidentally meet each other when they are overseas. Yes, my school is guilty for contributing to the brain drain……….
Closer to home, I wonder if Pak Lah knows about our own Malaysian companies that are also contributing to the brain drain. No name mentioned, but I know of one company, due to the change in business process has forced a number of the disgruntled staff to leave the company.
The worse thing, these staff left and joined the competitors that are not Malaysian owned. And even worse, some staff actually decided to leave Malaysia and work at greener pastures.
They could have stayed in Malaysia, but no company in Malaysia could afford to pay the expected salary due to the staff being former scholars and studied overseas during the economic crisis.
Sad really. Now wonder why Pak Lah has an uphill task.
Clearly, there has always been movement of highly skilled people in and out of a country. If there is brain drain from a particular country, it can scarcely develop. On the other hand, if it can keep its talents and successfully attract its skilled citizens to return as well as foreign talents to come, it will prosper.
Comment by fargowin — August 5, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
(deleted)
I am speechless
Comment by Lee Wee Tak — August 6, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
As a Malaysian, I lived and studied in Singapore in the 80s and early 90s.I have never once felt that I was a foreigner.My classmates only thought of themselves as Singaporeans irregarless of race.In fact I regret coming back to Malaysia.As an engineer, my sister couldn’t get a job in Malaysia and so she went to Singapore and never looked back.
Comment by Steven — August 10, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Malaysia must have more of Philip Yeo of Spring Singapore - go check him out……
Comment by jeffrey chew — August 13, 2008 @ 12:39 am
Hi there fong po kuan! May I ask if your sister fong kam ling previously did her form 6 in St. Michael’s Institution?
YES. She did her Sixth Form in St Michael, Ipoh.
Comment by Aaron Oo — August 30, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Dear YB Po Kuan,
I also one of the Ipoh-mali punya, and had been struggled in Singapore for the last 10 years. I got my degree and Master degrees without TONGKAT support and yet survives in “Negeri Orang”.
I didn’t blame you for calling us back home to serve the nation; which I always wanted to do. But our country doesn’t have the correct platform for us to land.
E.g.
1. Personal Income Tax
2. Equal Opportunity
3. Security
I’ll reconsider again if PR manage to take over Federal Govt. by 916. Let’s us wait and see…!
Comment by Budak — September 5, 2008 @ 12:02 am
I still remembered 4 yrs back , I just finished form 6 ,I wished I could study in oversea like in Us, Aust,New Zealand and etc. My parents commented If i get tat far,most likely they will loose a son coz once I get there would nv back home. Anyway, due to insufficient financial support, they suggested I study in Sg and at least Sg is so much nearer to Malaysia. I asked my dad “Why do you think study in Sg is better than in Malaysia, Sg incurred 3 yrs bonds to every foreign student. Sg is so small, everyone in sg takes train instead of riding a car, cost of living is so high.” But then I found out that the education quality and standard so much higher than any Uni in Malaysia then I chose NTU.
Now I have never regretted that decision, I realized that how naive of me in 4 yrs ago. Loans and bonds are no longer the main reasons for making me staying in sg. It’s the opportunity, the quality of living which Sg can offer had brushed away the thought of going back to Malaysia early before I graduated.
Although Sg is so small but Sg is pretty international and globalized. 2 yrs back I had been given an opportunity to work and travel in US for 3 months. I got to see the world is so big, outside world is so fascinating. And Now again I’m in Japan for my work. All these wouldn’t happen if I chose to stay back in Malaysia. Why would I constraint myself in a country that can offer me nothing? What Malaysia did worth your return to serve the nation? Moreover,Sg dollars is so strong has made you be at anywhere in world possible.
To me, I think I could settle down in anywhere in the world as long I can find the life that I always wanted. U might think tat I’m such a selfish bastard but nothing wrong to live the life that we want rite? The only thing that I regreted is I’m apart from my family. My dad was absolutely right, the current situation it’s not much different from losing a Son.
Comment by Louis — September 25, 2008 @ 1:52 pm