The Future of Malaysia.....

The next time you meet an old friend you have not seen for many years, a discussion on the family will reveal many disturbing trends....

One of the most disturbing is that more than 75% of your friends have a son or daughter who is working abroad.

In fact I believe that is the new yardstick by which your friends will decide if you have made it in life. It seems that being able to being able to plant an offspring overseas is equivalent to sending a Malaysian into outer space.

Of course it is not openly stated as most Malaysians are too polite but there is a quiet understanding that remains unstated.

I was back in KL over the weekend and met two old family friends. Both of them had one child who is now working overseas and the topic of permanent residency and change of citizenship cropped up. It seems many Malaysians feel no loss if the Malaysian citizenship is revoked.

Another relative confessed to me that her daughter who started Darjah 1 with the new "back to English" program that was so hastily implemented now has lessons conducted in Bahasa and English as it seems 90% of the pupils cannot cope with lessons in English and the teacher now has to explain lessons using Bahasa.

The interesting trend is that even among Malays, many of our young adults prefer not to return home and many of these are on government scholarships but that is another topic for discussion.

With so many talented citizens not wanting to return, the future of Malaysia is gloomy as it means only mediocre people are left to take up national leadership roles and even the private sector suffers.

I don't know what is the solution as everyone will choose what they consider is best for them. After all, none of my four children are in Malaysia and I don't see that situation changing anytime soon.