LETTER | After completing the sixth form at a public school in Petaling Jaya, I took up articleship and qualified as a certified public accountant (CPA) at one of the large international accounting firms in Kuala Lumpur in the mid-80s. 

Subsequently, I took up a role as financial controller for the Malaysian operations of an international insurance company and took examinations conducted locally leading to membership of the Australian Insurance Institute (now renamed the Australian New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance). I did not have the opportunity of an overseas education although I had dreamt of one.

Many of my colleagues and friends emigrated to the West and there was certainly the temptation to follow suit. I had also taken a long holiday overseas with the intention to “spy out the land.” I then made the decision to stay in Malaysia and to raise my family here.

My point of writing this is not to be critical of those who have chosen to emigrate but to let you know how those same reasons for leaving made me decide to stay.

Many of my friends left in order to give their children a better education and a better future. I think obtaining a good education is more than merely excelling in the academic arena. Character development is just as important if not more. After acquiring basic education, your progress will be determined largely by your character more than your educational background.  

Your diligence, integrity, self-control, loyalty, being a team-player, respect for others, persistence, courage, humility, etc. will be factors that are more influential in your progress. My children will have every opportunity to develop those qualities in Malaysia, especially the quality of overcoming the odds and triumphing out of adversities.

Sure, there’s racial prejudice and a quota system that works against you. But hey, if you want to succeed, you will have to accept that life is not fair and work your guts out to excel. My children won’t be disadvantaged if they learn to struggle against odds and be victorious in adversity.

They say a champion bridge player is not one who has all the good cards but one who knows how to play the bad cards well.

In Malaysia, one race and one religion dominate. Educational and job opportunities are not based on merit. We can shout unfairness every day but injustice is part of life. If we’re honest, injustice exists in the western world too.

So how about fighting for justice in Malaysia instead of giving up and running away? Joining a winning team is a more attractive proposition. Joining a weaker team and helping it to win is more satisfying.

There are many in our society who are not qualified to emigrate. They want a just society too. What if all who are able to emigrate do so? The battle for justice for those who have to stay back because they are not qualified to emigrate becomes more difficult. 

If we are to succeed in this war against injustice, we must stick together and fight together. For a new Malaysia. Or a newer Malaysia, if needed.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.