It's A Sign Of The Times

IT’S A SIGN OF THE TIMES, when they all want to come to our country, the good, the bad and the ugly –


The Managers and Professionals from around the world that make up our expatriate community

Nepalese, Vietnamese, Burmese and Indonesian workers to seek employment in our companies, plantations and all

Filipina and Indonesian domestic helpers

Chinese, Indian, Central Asian and Asean lasses to join the
“flesh trade” at our health spas and karaoke centers

Thai and Cambodians monks and nuns, dubious ones at that, clad in saffron and white respectively, and begging for alms (read money) on Malaysian streets

East Europeans “tourists”, including the hugh Russian mamas, who used to “set up stalls” to ply their goods, mostly Soviet era army surplus (night vision binoculars mainly) at Petaling Street

Africans “tourists” who sell leather belts and wallets at food courts and pasar malams and those involved in the “black” moneyscam


It’s a sign that Malaysia has “arrived” as a country. A land of plenty to these people. Out to make a decent living or a quick buck in some cases.

And I dare say, it’s also because of the “welcome” we extended them. Except for the criminally inclined ones, as long as the rest of these foreigners are useful in our homes, stalls, offices, factories and plantations, we ask no questions and see no evil.

The best thing about all this is that, in our dealings with them, race and religion is often a non-issue. It is how they are as an individual that is of concern. Whether they are of good character or not? Whether they are hardworking or lazy? And so on.

Which leads me to ask if we can interact with these foreigners in this way, why can’t we deal with our fellow Malaysians the same way.

IT’S ALSO A SIGN OF THE TIMES, when, 46 years after our country gained independence, Malaysians still talk and think in terms of “We” and “Them” - Bumiputra and Non-Bumiputra or Muslims and Non-Muslims.

It’s a sign that we have not arrived as a Nation.

* Sigh *