A few days ago, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, the eldest daughter of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stated in an event organised by UndiMalaysia that most youths are considering to leave the country due to the socio-political situation; however, she encourages migrating youth campaigners to pursue their causes virtually even when they are no longer in the country and not to forget about Malaysia in their hearts.
According to Aliran, some five percent of skillful Malaysians, majority of them being non-Bumiputra, leave Malaysia each year. Some 20 percent of Malaysian young graduates opt to leave the country and they mostly chose to go to Singapore.
Malaysians leave the country for countless of reasons. Some of them are seeking better opportunities and some of them feel they have a better future somewhere else. However, not all of Malaysians who are leaving would like to stay invested in Malaysia, such as these people:
Alvin Tan
Most Malaysians may have know him as the sex blogger of Alvivi infamy. Tan and his former girlfriend, Vivian Lee have been charged due to a Hari Raya greeting post in their Facebook with a photo of themselves eating Bak Kut Teh with the caption “Selamat Berbuka Puasa” and a halal stamp. Tan is also facing criminal charges under the Sedition Act and Film Censorship Act.
Tan who is currently in Los Angeles, US to start a new life was quoted by The Malaysian Insider, “I’m busy starting a new life here (in the US), apart from awaiting my final asylum hearing. I’m here to seek political refuge from the tyranny of UMNO – simple as that.”
During his interview with LIFT, he described Malaysia as a great country because the people are laid-back and the weather is warm. Despite these factors, and although he still takes time to criticise Malaysian politicians every once in a while on his Facebook page, he has made up his mind that he will never return to Malaysia forever.
Vivian Tan, however, chose to stay in Malaysia and is still in contact with Alvin’s mother.
Ali Abd Jalil
Ali is an activist who fled the country to seek asylum in Sweden. He claimed that he was not treated fairly by Malaysian authorities.
Ali was detained on September 8 and was in police custody in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor, until he was finally released on Septeber 29. Ali faces three sedition charges for allegedly insulting Johor royalty and the Sultan of Selangor in his Facebook postings.
Not surprisingly, he made contact with Alvin Tan during his move to Sweden, and they seem to have made good friends with each other.
Pauline Chai
Chai is a former Miss Malaysia/International 1969. She was recently caught up in a dispute with her former husband, Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng.
Despite being a Malaysian, Chai mentioned that she has no interest in Malaysia and she has only one friend in the country. Quoted in The Star, Chai said, “I left Malaysia 34 years ago in 1980 and have not lived here since. I moved in 1980 to live in Perth, Australia with the whole family.”
According to the news, she said that her children have not spent any meaningful time in the country since they left in year 1980 and made Australia as their home.
Malaysia is in danger when Malaysians themselves lose faith in their own country. The country’s direction and future is heavily dependent on the youth. If you are still in Malaysia, perhaps it is time to have a renewed sense of strength, passion, and faith to change the society for the better.
