The Big Picture

FOR most of us, this is the only land we have. We were born here and will most probably be buried here. We belong here and that MyKad identity document we carry in our wallets and handbags wherever we go is testament to that fact.
 That card, though not any larger than the credit or the various discount cards we carry with us, signifies our rights to everything the nation has to offer, including in determining its future. We should all take our ownership of this land and its future seriously.


 Which is why around every five years, we see people from all walks of life, in our bustling cities and our serene countryside, brave the sunshine and rain to put their marks on that ballot papers. They are fulfilling their duties as citizens of this beloved land, making their choices of the route the nation will follow.
 When its time for us to fulfil our roles as citizens of a democratic country shortly, I hope all of us will have that in mind - the nation's interests.
 This beloved country is larger than all of us. There has never been the slightest of doubts in my mind that it has a promising future. Malaysia is blessed with all the resources required to become a prosperous nation. Its land is fertile, rich with natural resources and populated with intelligent people.
 All that is required is for a strong leadership, one with high integrity and capabilities to steer this nation forward.
 Let us not forget that we are not alone in this world. In fact, we are now right in the middle of a bustling and highly-competitive region. We do not have the luxury of listening to pipe dreams and little room for making stupid mistakes.
 A neighbour who once upon a time was always at the receiving end of our sick jokes have made giant positive strides. Many international investors I've met were of the view that President Bambang of Indonesia have been doing all the right things to bring his nation forward.
 Let us be reminded that Indonesia has about 250 million people. Its middle-class society is expanding, which consequently means there exists a promising outlook that it will not have to work too hard to search for markets in the not-too-distant future.
 Vietnam and Cambodia, two nations which came out of a ravaging 30-year war just three decades ago, are attracting increasing investor attention. Both have quickly laid down arms and trained a generation of war society to fight now in the economic battlefront.
 Thailand requires little mention. Tumultous as any polls have been in the Kingdom, the Thais had never once lose sight of the big picture -- their nation. In the south, little as it may be, Singapore has remained the region's well-oiled engine that it has always been.
 We are now living in an increasingly borderless world. Economic barriers that once provided some shield to ours will one day be dismantled. Even the New Economic Policy will soon fall under scrutiny of free trade agreements every nation around the world are now pursuing.
 Very soon we will find ourselves in a wide open field where we will not only have to compete with domestic competitors, but also foreign ones. The question is, are we preparing ourselves for that day or are we focusing too much on winning the little battles at the risk of neglecting the war.
  We know that as in the past, general elections are almost always highly-charged affairs. In Malaysia, history tells us that in the pursuit of winning elections, at times the promise of short-term gains has often clouded the opportunity for a great future.
 Indeed both sides of our political aisles will be judged by the people shortly. Nobody can say for certain which side of the divide will emerge victorious this time around.
 What is certain is that the process will take less than 24 hours. Once the dust settles, it is my fervent hope that we can all go back to work and play our respective roles in bringing this nation forward and preparing it for what may well be a more challenging future.

ENDS