“So when a great man dies
For years beyond our ken
The light he leaves behind him lies
Upon the paths of men” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Last week, Singaporeans have lost their founding father, and the world has lost a well-respected statesman.
Lee Kuan Yew, once dubbed as “the best bloody Englishman east of Suez” by George Brown, former Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom, has finally joined the ranks of Sir Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and Nelson Mandela in heaven, to be reminisced for their profound wisdom and unprecedented contributions to their own countries and the world.
There is always been this love-hate relationship between the two countries separated by the Straits of Johor.
As Malaysians, we could not help but occasionally feel a tinge of envy of how Malaysia and Singapore have both evolved since 1965.
This is especially true when we observe them from the economic and education lenses.
Looking at the real gross domestic product (GDP) per person figures published by The Economist, it is heart-wrenching to see the differences between Singapore and Malaysia.
We both started at the same level in 1965, but 50 years later, Singapore real GDP per person is at least five times of Malaysia’s.
When it comes to comparing our universities, it gives us a melancholic nostalgia, especially for those who studied in Singapore before the separation of Universiti Malaya in 1962.
Again, we had a common, humble beginning, but we went on separate ways. One continues to practice merit-based admission policy, while one concedes to affirmative action. The outcome after 50 years later is crystal clear.
Every now and then, when we look at the island located right across the Tebrau Straits, it makes us wonder, what could have been if our leaders are more pragmatic and thoughtful in shaping our country?
As we read through Lee's speeches and articles, we would find that he is not enamoured with any ideology.
He did what he felt right to build a first world country. The entire process is akin to a scientific approach.
He will start with a hypothesis and test it out. If it fails, he will refine the hypothesis and repeat the whole process again till he gets it right.
Meanwhile for us, our leaders did too much talking but not many of them are walking the talk.
We are restrained by our very own unique history and culture, and fail to give ourselves a chance to propel forward.
History is indeed important, but vision is even more so; for if we are not careful enough, we will be confined in the present and get dragged down by the past.
We will continue to live our lives under the false impression that we are moving forward.
There were many instances where we felt lost and helpless at the junctures of revolutionary changes.
We waited for a couple of five-year periods and then witnessed our greatest common wish died down again.
Despite being disappointed for many times, we kept fighting. We kept our heads high, lighting up the glint of hopes.
When talented Malaysian students and professionals are making headlines across the straits, we feel happy and proud, yet terribly sad at the same time, because our government has failed them.
Many of my friends have expressed gratitude towards Singapore for recognising their talents as they have been awarded various scholarships and grants by the Singaporean government and been given the opportunity to flourish.
With the passing of Lee, it is inevitable that the development journeys of Malaysia and Singapore will be under the limelight.
As a country, which is currently in the dilemma between holding on to the past and dreaming about the future, we ought to take this opportunity to reflect on what could have been done better for our nation.
We have to be ready to answer tough questions and to figure out the best solutions moving forward.
In his book, “One Man’s View of the World” – we found some bitter pills to swallow, on his sharp and blunt predictions on Malaysia’s future.
With more tensions between races and religions in this country, we are afraid that what he said will turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It is saddening to hear from those of the older generations who told us to leave the country because they simply could not see any future in it.
Most of them have been working diligently to earn a living, yet what they longed for, is such a distant dream.
They are unsure that if they will be able to see Malaysia progress into what they have been hoping for during their lifetimes.
No doubt, it is definitely going to be a painful effort to look into the mirror and admit the mistakes occurring in our country since 50 years ago.
However, we need a paradigm shift in our fundamental ways of doing things. At the very least, we find comfort in knowing that although the current environment is not ideal, we are not short of talented and industrious people.
What we need is simple. Leaders with integrity and put their people interests before them.
To Lee Kuan Yew, thank you for leaving a legacy. May you rest in peace.
To our government, let’s not disappoint our own people anymore. We have got work to do, and we are running out of time. – TMI
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