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Part 2: Why I chose to come back to Malaysia

If there are two irrefutable truths about why I chose to come back to my home country, the first would be the common identity which I share with my fellow Malaysians; the second would be the passion which flows through my veins. What is the passion which I speak of? This passion takes many shapes and forms, but it is constantly the fuel for my motivates and the spark that I rely on to accomplish everything from the mundane to the extraordinary. Mainly, this passion is one that equates personal identity with a purpose larger than myself. This passion is the desire to equate personal goals with the common struggle; that the personal is political - that life is politics and politics is life. I have identified a few passions which have motivated me to not only apply my political education in my work tasks, but to also assert myself in other areas of Malaysian life: the social, religious and recreational. In this post I'll focus mainly on my passion for being involved in grassroots politics in Malaysia.

One of my passions is to collectively realize that common goal or aspiration, and this has propelled me to push my personal boundaries to try things which I have never had the courage to attempt before. My decision to return and to develop as a professional is, as I have already mentioned, is a result of this passion. Having studied in western, liberal democratic countries such as Canada and United States, I have cultivated a spirit of expression: whether it is to assert my beliefs or expound on the principles on which I stand, I believe strongly in the need for expressing ideas or thoughts. Of course, once you do express them, you have to defend them from scrutiny and attack. This is when I strong conviction proves to be useful. In my case, I believe that I have a duty to preserve what is beautiful and just in Malaysia. The writings of Nehru, Mandela and Mao have inspired a nationalistic thirst in me that is not about to be quenched just by sitting behind a computer, thousands of miles away from the realities of my homeland.

I had before me a choice: to choose a career which pays a comfortable wage and live a reasonably stable life in a peaceful and prosperous country like Canada; or to choose a career which presents challenges at every corner, thorny prospects and sacrificial hardship, but along with it a rewarding sense of hope and optimism for a country shared by many who yearn for change and reform. I chose the latter path, the road with no end. Currently, I continue to sow the seeds of trust and confidence into my tanah air. The land is fertile and the soil rich for those who are willing to put in the effort. The sapling is planted - the tree which will provide shade for generations of hopeful Malaysians to come; the offspring of those who have enjoyed the fruits of their forefathers. I am taking my place amongst those who have heeded that thunderous whisper across the oceans; that beckoning for Malaysians on every shore and plateau, far and wide, to return to our homeland's bosom to join ranks towards a sustainable change.

The realities on the ground are irrefutably difficult. Wages at subsistence levels, high costs of living, grueling commutes, an unforgiving climate and an apprehension towards 'foreign' hybrids such as myself all present seemingly insurmountable challenges. However, I refuse to throw in the towel. Malaysia is a country brimming with vibrant individuals who are willing to do the work and toil for their families. The Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous pillars continue to hold this house called Malaysia up, and its foundation remains strong and proud - a foundation built upon the backs of our forefathers' blood, sweat and tears. Unity may not be immediately possible, but integration can be. Together, we infuse a dynamism which is unparalleled in any land on this earth.

The Malaysian 'soul' is resilient, tolerant and creative: it is determined to persevere through any odds, tolerant of each other's differences and creative in its numerous manifestations and expressions. How many melodious tongues do we hear on a daily basis here in Malaysia? Most importantly, we are experiencing a cultural boom which not only synergizes the output of many young urban Malaysians, but also re-brands and repackages the old into refurbished products for aesthetic and educational enjoyment. We are, however, the biggest impediment to our success. With so much optimism, it is difficult to understand why people are choosing to dismantle hard-wrought success through inequitable policies and unsustainable management methods.

This is where we all come in, at least, this is what I know to be my cue. We have been given democratic space either through coincidence or design. We must capitalize on this advantageous position to bargain for more, to exercise our rights of expression and the power of our creativity. We must not fear the uncertain: the low wages, the hardship and the pain; for nothing beautiful comes out of inaction. In a land of contestations such as Malaysia, where every arena presents its own battle, whether it be identity, resources, religion, values or morality, action inevitably puts us in a situation where we must stand on our principles to defend what is just and equitable.

Action, therefore, allows us to hold our ground against bigotry, discrimination and greed.

Action allows to discover our innate roles as co-inhabitants of this majestic land.

Action offers us that indefinite and infinite proposition to pursue what we call happiness.

Action makes us feel alive.

I feel alive in Malaysia.

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