The Malaysian Way...

I am touched by the generosity of Malaysian who contributed to the “Malaysian Tsunami Fund”. Millions of Ringgit has been collected so far from individuals and corporate entities. In addition (this phrase is over utilised in my line of profession), there are those who contributed in kind (such as clothes, food, mattresses, pillows etc.). This shows that Malaysians are “prihatin” towards their fellow citizens. I feel proud to be under the same blanket and be a Malaysian.

But if we flip the coin and look at the opposite side, one will be humiliated by the facts that to some Malaysian, “donating” means clearing your closet, almari baju, gerobok, storeroom etc. Whatever we don’t need, just “donate” it to the victims. “I can’t wear this anymore, that’s no zippers on these trousers or baju kebaya I ni dah ketat la bang, nak bagi kat mangsa tsunami boleh?” These are the usual words heard from any of us when it comes to giving “donations”.

If we look at some of the clothes donated to the victims, the only word to describe it was “junk”. You should see what have been given to the victims. Some of the clothes can be even be made into “kain buruk”. No buttons, no zippers (for seluar and some skirts), “dah koyak” et cetera... et cetera…et cetera… so, how on earth should the victims wear the clothes (may be some of us think that the victims need the “kain buruk” anyway to clean their houses)? Then we say the victims are choosy and there are piles of “baju” and we have stock of clothes. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not saying that you should go out and buy new clothes and throw it to the victims, but what I am trying to point out here is when you’re giving something like clothes and “kain baju”, please make sure that the person receiving the clothes and “kain baju” can actually use it. “If not why bother?” Keep your belonging at home and if it is bungled, throw it away. These people have enough junk in their houses to clean. They don’t need your junk to dispose. That’s about that. What about those who give money? Some of them really-really want to help. But what about those who present their “donation” in front of the camera and giving huge phoney cheques?

Some of us or corporations need reporters to present the mock cheque to the Fund, and yet we say the American Government has political agenda when they give aid to the victims in South Asia and South East Asia. Do we have agenda of our own? Do the political parties have their agendas? Do we need to look good on the people’s point of view? Or do we get something in return by doing that (I mean giving our “donation” on the stage in front of the camera? Whatever it is, I think we don’t need reporters to be present to give “donation” or do we? Well I give to the unfortunate whenever I have the opportunity (not that often though) but then again I am not Dato’ XYZ or ABC Corporation. For these people and/or Corporations they need to look good and let people know that they care. Odd enough I didn’t see Petronas giving the huge fake cheque but one thing I know, they did send lorries full of supplies to the victims in Kedah. So, where does this leaves us? If we say we don’t have anything to gain out of other people’s misery, then we don’t need to wear the vest with logos of certain entity (“the Vests”) to help this people don’t we and we don’t need to talk cock? We don’t need to show million of viewers at home that we care. Show that you care by helping them sincerely. The victims do need help but not the help given the Malaysian Way.

Thousand of thanks should be given to those who helped and donated sincerely. People like “my boss”, the employees in SIRIM, several law firms and several governmental agencies (who didn’t go on air) should be given the credit… Thank you and may god bless all of you.