LETTER | “Sat Sri Akal, Namaste, Assalamualaikum, Nǐ hǎo, Nama Berita?”

This depicts the beautiful multicultural ambiance on the Malaysian soil. It has never been a one-man army; but rather a one spirited army. The real lifeline of 1Malaysia, where it is possible to co-exist in peace and harmony despite its plural composition.

Truly this is my aspiration for my beloved country; yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Half the battle is won with the medium the government has taken to visualise Transformasi Negara 2050 with its people. Its bold tripartite effort between the government, the laymen and experts should be applauded for it is in the true spirit of a democratic country.

The involvement of numerous age groups is a healthy sign of ensuring the engagement of citizen minds in an intellectual arena. The need for the establishment of the intellectual arena is crucial, especially among the youths.

In the recent wave of news surrounding the death of T Nhaveen and a Malaysian National Defence University (UPNM) student, Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain (both having been bullied, which subsequently caused their deaths) shows an alarming need to reform the minds of the young ones to channel their energy to the constructive development of their intellect.

The concept of mutual consultation is rooted via one of the earliest constitution of Madinah (Sahifah al-Madinah). Its success was seen in the disputes among tribes being resolved and this subsequently produced a community that had their hearts and minds vowed to it, for their involvement in it gave them a sense of belonging.

Therefore, the premise the government has taken is bold and necessary for such dynamic times.

On the same note, the grassroots must be explored to instil such values in young minds. Job opportunities must be widened and more unconventional jobs should be given the same recognition as the conventional ones, for this is crucial for the growth of the country in the next five to 10 to 30 years.

Times are changing and so should the approach. I believe children are like a white canvas; what you paint on it from the beginning of time is what they would grow up believing till the end of time.

Hence, textbooks should be re-evaluated and not only should jobs, such as being a doctor, lawyer, engineer be given due respect but an IT developer, social enterprises (for instance the Biji-Biji Initiative - our own home-grown business) should also be introduced among the options to widen their horizons.

These are the fields that could open more job opportunities and at the same time promote sustainability of the environment. I had the opportunity to meet the founders of the Biji-Biji Initiative and have been impressed with their works of collecting recycled items and encouraging people to do so and then producing Hi-5 fashion items with them. This is the sort of effort we need in the years to come to ensure that neither the environment nor business well-being is neglected.

In conclusion, these are my main aspirations for my country, for I believe the mind is the most important asset that our country has and it needs to be channelled in the right path. Only then would we be able to achieve our visions in the time to come, for without minds working together, democracy would be a failure.

We live in a pseudo-democracy, where the country does not represent us but instead, we represent the country. Hence, rather than complaining about the system, given a chance to be a part of it is half the battle won and such effort should be continued to stimulate the minds of every citizen, regardless of which age group they come from, because somewhat, somewhere, it would all come together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Together with the country, it is important to nourish and grow minds that are compatible for the dynamic times. Of course, to have a touch of conventional values is important but it is equally important to instil dynamism.

It is pertinent to understand the power of minds. A good one would bring flow of good and a bad one would result in the flow of destruction. Only by taking the path of education can this be achieved.

No one should be left out of the system, for the privilege is not one that is exclusive. It is by all for all. Each having their own ideas to offer to the building blocks of success, because “bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh” (United we stand, divided we fall). With so, I hope for a progressing Malaysia.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.