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Monday 12 April 2010

We Lack Courage

I had lunch yesterday with a good friend who was lamenting to me how the "stupid" Thais had ruined her opportunity for a business trip to Bangkok.

Like every other Malaysian, politics don't feature prominently in her list of priorities. Complaining about injustices certainly rank very highly.

That indeed, is the trademark of the average Malaysian - to expect someone else to fix national issues because "nothing can be done" and "peace is paramount" - evidently, even over justice.


So I found myself actually admiring the Thais for their courage and passion to take to the streets and fight for what they believed in.

I wonder what it is about the Thais that make them so different from the Malaysians. We share the same border, and consequently, the same sea. In fact, I suspect we also share the same genetics, for the most part.

And yet, the Thais have more courage to hold their ground and refuse to be bullied.

Meanwhile, we cower away at the merest suggestion of unrest. We laud 'peace' and 'harmony' as our greatest traits, as if we possess no other.

In failing to stand up for our rights, we wonder why some of us are treated like second-class citizens.

Haris Ibrahim poses some very painfully direct questions at those of us who have stood around and done nothing.

The sad question is, did our forefathers cross oceans and seas to come to this land, give so much of themselves to build the early infrastructure and lay the foundation for a budding economy, only to have their progeny treated as second class citizens in that same land?

In our silence and grin-and-bear-it attitude, we make a mockery of their efforts and dreams.

9 comments:

Donplaypuks® said...

True!

What I wouldn'y give for democracy a la Bangkok to come to our shores. Where will our courage come from and who shall lead us?

dpp
We are all of 1 race, the Human Race

zewt said...

besides those who are ignorant and oblivious, there are also those who are fed up and jaded... like me.

Crankster said...

DPP - I will lead. I don't know how but I will. And in a small way, I already am.

Anon - I have been down in the streets. Even been tear-gassed and sprayed chemicals. Have you?

Zewt - Stop being fed-up and jaded. Fight back. It'll be worth it.

shar101 said...

Anon (23:21HR),

Yes, she has faced down the teargas gauntlet on 1st August 2009 for the anti-ISA rally and I took pictures of her 'washing/barfing up' thereafter.

In fact, Crank was worried she won't experience the prerequisite test of a true activist if she didn't get gassed on that day, therefore, dragged the whole gang around the streets of KL looking for a water cannon truck in action.

And she found one at Masjid Jamek at about 4.30pm.

The rest is history.

Sooo .. what did you do?

semuanya OK kot said...

Though would like to agree, I prefer the courage of the Burmese people (It is criminals outside Burma who are keeping the junta in money). The Palestinians have shown great courage for decades, but what have they achieved except give the enemy more excuses? The Lebanese barely came out of the madness with their country intact.

Note: The spray used by riot police is definirtely carcinogenic.

Anonymous said...

The Msian attitude that closes the windows when we see a neighbour being attacked/robbed/breakins.

Like this you expect us to fight for our freedom when we are in the comfort zone? The Thais have more warrior genes that all our 1Malaysia races combined...

More people complained about loss of business during the last protest in Jln. TAR than showing up to protest.

We cannot expect to fight for the masses when the masses dun care, my fren!

Unknown said...

Dear Crankster

I wish more Malaysians would think hard and deep about many issues the way you do.

Write more, dearie. Miss reading your thoughts.

Hugs

Unknown said...

I am one of the guilty ones ranting from behind a keyboard. But 8000 miles of sea doesn't help either.

But seriously, we lack courage. The Thais, the Indonesians and even the Philippians are more vocal than us.

But looking on the bright side, things are stirring in Malaysia. The youth movements like Bangkit and EPIC have taken roots so that's good news for the future.

Yes, we can.

cass said...

Wow, well said. But we are heading there in a moderate way. The peaceful demonstrations are in a way our way of showing what we feel without resorting to violence. Also, there is an upcoming rally on May 1st. I think the best way to make a difference is through the polls. Which we did in fine fashion last 2008.