Malaysia Boleh
Finally, a light of hope for Malaysia during these months of hard political and economic times. I really want to thank Lee Chong Wei for bringing us hope with his dynamism, fighting spirit and talent. Through the dark clouds, enter a ray of light.
And really, badminton is a part of Malaysia. Where would we be without the thrill of playing and watching this exciting game? Those countries who don't play it are definitely missing out! Tonight, we may achieve a gold medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Even if we don't, I would not complain, as Lee Chong Wei and his coach, Misbun Sidek, is telling us that he will do his best.
Watching the badminton games on TV, I see Li Yong Bo, the China players' coach, whom I absolutely adored when he used to play as a Double with Tian Bing Yi. China has showed that they can do it, releasing itself from its handcuffs of strict communism and becoming a dynamic economic power in a span of ten years or so.
The funny thing is ten years ago, I would never dream of visiting China, despite it being the ancestral home of us Chinese. We got scared of by legends of dirty toilets and that we needed to bring umbrellas. But today, everyone probably would like to go there once in their lives.
Look at South Korea. The last time I checked, they are 4th on the 2008 Olympics medal ranking. Look at their people's achievement in the last 15 years, rising from insignificance and with an image that was inferior to Japan, its amazing East Asian cousin. But now, Japan is ranked below South Korea in the Olympics medal ranking. Every friend I know wants to visit Korea, the land of "Winter Sonata" and "Dae Jang Gum" (A Jewel in the Palace).
In Malaysia, we still face the same stupid film censorship system or non-system (e.g. I hear our Film/TV drama producers are not allowed to have storylines where a Government Minister kills anyone), and the same "no-budget" problems with Malaysian TV productions since 15 years ago. I can't speak for the times beyond the 15 years. I think they weren't much to brag anyway. If they were better, we would have a few more P.Ramlee.
No decent filmmaker wants to spend their life working in Malaysia. And I heard its quite the same case with doctors and other professionals. Apparently Malaysia is still having a hard time convincing some of its best talent to return home. Maybe we should blame Singapore again for stealing our talent, even our actors. I hear a certain Miss Malaysia, Andrea Fonseka, is more famous there than in Malaysia. I'm just afraid people may mistake her for being a Singaporean!
I hope one day, that there could be such a Malaysia -- economically vibrant, politically respected, with smart, talented and efficient people running the country and businesses. Now, we are still slow in attracting tourists with our beautiful traditions, architecture, beaches and natural heritage. It boils down to a lack of marketing skills and focus. It's not hard to believe, that most people who have the privilege of doing business with the government are in it for the money, and never thought of how we can promote our country more aggressively. As a business person, I always hear my business friends encouraging me to tender f0r government projects -- fatt tatt loh.
In comparison, Singapore, such a small island, still impresses me with the kinds of things they come up with to attract tourists. Cleanliness, colours, Chinatown museum which is a walk into the past, Sentosa Island's theme-park, beach atmosphere, Clark Quay, Esplanade, Night Safari, all despite its clinical stiff-upper-lip image. And its all well-run, and attractive to tourists.
The funny thing is ten years ago, I would never dream of visiting China, despite it being the ancestral home of us Chinese. We got scared of by legends of dirty toilets and that we needed to bring umbrellas. But today, everyone probably would like to go there once in their lives.
Look at South Korea. The last time I checked, they are 4th on the 2008 Olympics medal ranking. Look at their people's achievement in the last 15 years, rising from insignificance and with an image that was inferior to Japan, its amazing East Asian cousin. But now, Japan is ranked below South Korea in the Olympics medal ranking. Every friend I know wants to visit Korea, the land of "Winter Sonata" and "Dae Jang Gum" (A Jewel in the Palace).
In Malaysia, we still face the same stupid film censorship system or non-system (e.g. I hear our Film/TV drama producers are not allowed to have storylines where a Government Minister kills anyone), and the same "no-budget" problems with Malaysian TV productions since 15 years ago. I can't speak for the times beyond the 15 years. I think they weren't much to brag anyway. If they were better, we would have a few more P.Ramlee.
No decent filmmaker wants to spend their life working in Malaysia. And I heard its quite the same case with doctors and other professionals. Apparently Malaysia is still having a hard time convincing some of its best talent to return home. Maybe we should blame Singapore again for stealing our talent, even our actors. I hear a certain Miss Malaysia, Andrea Fonseka, is more famous there than in Malaysia. I'm just afraid people may mistake her for being a Singaporean!
I hope one day, that there could be such a Malaysia -- economically vibrant, politically respected, with smart, talented and efficient people running the country and businesses. Now, we are still slow in attracting tourists with our beautiful traditions, architecture, beaches and natural heritage. It boils down to a lack of marketing skills and focus. It's not hard to believe, that most people who have the privilege of doing business with the government are in it for the money, and never thought of how we can promote our country more aggressively. As a business person, I always hear my business friends encouraging me to tender f0r government projects -- fatt tatt loh.
In comparison, Singapore, such a small island, still impresses me with the kinds of things they come up with to attract tourists. Cleanliness, colours, Chinatown museum which is a walk into the past, Sentosa Island's theme-park, beach atmosphere, Clark Quay, Esplanade, Night Safari, all despite its clinical stiff-upper-lip image. And its all well-run, and attractive to tourists.
Money can have many names: Dollar, Franc, Ringgit, Euro, Yen, etc, but it knows no Race. It goes to those who find it. And anyone is entitled to it.
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