MARCH 22 — Malaysia is my home. It has been home for me for the past 33 years. Granted that I have not lived anywhere else (abroad) for more than a year, though I have travelled to quite a few countries in the past few years but none has matched the familiarity, sense of warmth, and belonging of this country called Malaysia.

I am one of those few kindred souls, a would-be extinct breed of patriotic Malaysians, who at times love to travel abroad and fawn at foreign cultures, buy cheap fridge magnets, and take dozens of pictures to proudly proclaim to other people (especially relatives) that “I was there!” or “Been there, done that”, but would almost immediately feel a pang of loneliness, of displacement, of being homesick after a week or two abroad. I just can’t wait to be back in my country, or my hometown (though I live in KL), to be back with family, friends, and loved ones.

While many young people of my age just can’t wait to emigrate for better wages, a higher quality of life and living, fairer treatment, and to avoid racially discriminatory policies, I would not think much of this issue and continue to live my life being very optimistic of the future and what it holds for me and the future generations of Malaysians to come.

And yes, I have contemplated many times before to move out, to emigrate, to cash out my last chip, or to throw in the towel but I have refrained from doing so because I am not quitter, nor am I a person who so easily abandons my country of birth. I may be disappointed with what is happening but I have not lost hope with Malaysia.

I have figured out that it’s not just a matter of cancelling your passport, sign a few forms and returning your identity card. It’s not just leaving all your family, friends, acquaintances, (even people you hate) the familiar places, and the memories (good and bad) behind. But it’s leaving your entire world behind your back before you step onboard the plane, or maybe bus. 

It’s true, that you can always come back for a visit, make a phone call, send an e-mail, join a social networking website, or create a new life somewhere else. Also, one is no longer inhibited in the borderless world of the 21st century, for one is always a citizen of the world rather than an individual whose identity is defined and fixed on nationality. In addition, I have always admired people who can just pack up their bags and leave and I have come to realise that ultimately, it’s all about the choices that you make at the end of the day.

Yes. Choices.

At times, I must admit that I am a hopeless romantic, taken in by memories, by nostalgia and being afraid of starting anew somewhere else in life, the hassle and inconvenience of moving and resettling, but then again, these are not the reasons that stop me from leaving. 

Simply put, I have made the personal choice to stand by my country and I will never ever let anyone or any twisted politician or political group to compel me or make me feel inferior by any standards. Most of the time, it’s a very difficult and hard journey to keep up one’s moral standards when everyone else is lowering theirs but no matter what, I am keeping mine two or three notches up from the rest of the scum. I have also realised that the values that you have would ultimately set you apart from the rest, and it is your values that would sustain you in so many of life’s unpredictable situations. 

You see, the devastating earthquake in Japan on March 11 that was followed by an equally ferocious tsunami that stuck the northeastern coastal city of Sendai with so many dying tragically only reminds me of one of life’s greatest lessons that people will always forget. The fragility and mortality of humankind’s existence, and one can never know nor predict the future. To put it in a more spiritual perspective, God is always in charge, no matter what.

Likewise, in this country, I have tremendous faith that good will triumph over evil and the day shall come when the latter will be vanquished by what is right and good. This is not vendetta or vengeance but ultimately what will be put right in due time by the higher spiritual powers that be, in this case, of the higher nature (and not by our politicians or the judiciary.) All of this will happen in His time, it is not a time that we can predict or foretell but come what may, good wills always triumph over evil, no matter what. That’s why it’s just so good to be an optimist! 

And coming back to my earlier point on the joys of being a Malaysian and being proud of it, I would always get a kick from hearing the voice of the flight attendant on any long-haul flight to Malaysia from abroad. It goes like this: “We would like to welcome all visitors to Malaysia, and to our fellow Malaysians, welcome back.”

Yes, it is indeed good to be back home.

* David Tneh is an academician whose interest is in socio-economic/political issues in Malaysia.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.