It is with a tinge of sadness when we hear someone chooses to leave our country for good because he hates it. There has been hundreds of thousands of Malaysians (if not in the millions) who have ventured abroad for good, and never plan to return. It is a great loss to our nation to lose so many of our bright and promising young generation to another country.

What are the reasons behind their leaving, we ask ourselves. Is it that they felt discriminated against while they are here? I would think so, and I would not blame them for that. Is it because they feel there are no opportunities for them here in our country? Possibly so, but we all know opportunities are created, not given. Is it then that they think the other countries are better, and they can live an easier life there? Maybe. As the saying goes "the grass is greener on the other side".

I am speaking in the shoes of one who has just returned after years being in other countries countries that many fellow Malaysians have migrated to. To be honest, there have been times that I was tempted to adopt a permanent residency in those countries, but I could not bear myself to do so.

Reasons are simple: I still feel I'm a Malaysian. I have a responsibility to our nation and our people. Each one of us has a responsibility as a citizen, like it or not. There have been too many people whom I owe my gratitude to in this country my family, my teachers, my friends, and many others whom I don't even know. I don't expect to return their kindness to them personally, but at least, I can repay their kindness by doing something in return to another person who needs it. And who needs it more than our own people.

For all the wrongs our country has, it is for us, the citizens, to right it. Yes, we may feel helpless to correct the wrongs of our country, but every little thing we do counts. If we feel there are racial divisions, we should ask ourselves what little things we have done to reduce it. Do we have a little racist mind in our own selves? If we feel our cities are dirty, think again did we throw some rubbish somewhere other than the rubbish bin? If we think Malaysian drivers are horrible, think again didn't each of use drive like that sometimes? It's the little things that we do, or don't do, that counts.

If each of us is a little more considerate and less selfish, then can't we change our country for the better? A famous Malay proverb, "Sikit-sikit lama-lama menjadi bukit", aptly describes this.

For those who gave up, or is about to give up on our country, let me ask you to do just reflect a little while: "Have you given your country a chance? Have you done your part?" If the answers to both are a resounding "Yes", then I wish you the best in another country.