Why I Think Malaysia Will Be The Best Place To Live In The Next

(First prize winner in the STAR 25th anniversary essay

competition (Category C - adults)

Should a fairy godmother suddenly appear before me with a crystal ball, a

magic wand and a world atlas, and give me the liberty to select the country I’d

like to live in 25 years from now, without a second’s hesitation, I would point to

that small nondescript, elongated peninsula straddling the equator called

Malaysia. The reason is very simple. I firmly feel that 25 years hence,

Malaysia would be one of the nicest - if not THE nicest - places to call

“home”.

Let us take a little journey down the corridors of time and cast a glance at the

destiny of some of the nations of the world over the past five decades. There is

war and famine in some, greed and suffering in others. Quite clearly,

Malaysia has reason to stand proud among the countries of the world. There

is plentiful sunshine and rainfall, while the soil is rich and the harvests

plentiful. Even Mother Nature has seen fit to bless Malaysia by exempting her

from its tantrums - there are no tsunamis and earthquakes, no floods and

droughts, no hurricanes and typhoons. Consequently, there is no need to live

in fear of nature’s sudden and unabated fury; no need to be constantly on the

lookout for unexpected destruction and devastation Freed from the

encumbrances of having to battle with the forces of nature, Malaysians are

empowered to pursue lifestyles of their own liking. The economy is booming,

jobs are for the taking... this is the senario today and there seems little reason

to expect this scenario to change adversely within the next 25 years. In fact,

with proper management and leadership, the outlook for Malaysia in the next

25 years may even improve.

Just for starters, imagine coming home after a day's work to a spotlessly spick

and span house filled with the tantalising aroma of rich coffee and roast

chicken, all waiting to welcome one home... Which Malaysian

housewife-cum-career lady has not dreamed of this before? And yet, this

dream may well become a reality just 25 years from now - all because of the

winds of technological change, which are sweeping through the country right

now. Pping! Just press that little button on your wristwatch 30 minutes before

you head home and it'd activate the gamut of...

... middle of paper ...

...e government’s attempts to develop a caring society are most

commendable. Twenty-five years hence, these efforts would have begun to

bear fruit. Palliative and geriatric care has already made itself felt while

halfway houses for abandoned babies and abused children are increasing by

the day. The groundwork for inculcating the caring attitude among

Malaysians has already been laid with the move towards developing caring

schools. Traditional values like thrift, hard work, respect for the aged and filial

piety are being upheld as exemplary values which can hold the fibre of

Malaysian society together. The voices of people like Marina Mahathir calling

for tolerance and understanding for those most in need of moral support are

like beacons in the dark, lighting the way towards the creation of the highest of

all societies - that with a conscience. Ultimately, the country, which would be

best to live in, would be that which enjoys technological growth from without

and strong moral and spiritual development from within. And it is exactly this

factor which makes me firmly believe that Malaysia will be the best place to

live in 25 years from now.