malaysia my second home?

It is a vast continent. Population is barely 21 million. Premier Kevin Rudd is the Labour government's head. He is approaching his first full year in office and even though clamouring for continuation of a Howard’s American alliance policy he is actually moving tangentially away from his predecessor’s direction. His policy is more Obama’s than Bush’s and prefers to pull out of Iraq quietly. Australia began to reform even before Rudd’s appearance in her political scenery. The country continues to prosper. Of course the credit crunch is affecting Australia as well but the country’s foundation is solid and it will be able to weather the storm fairly easily. Shortage of manpower to support the nation’s growth is addressed with proactive emigration policy that is fluid and strategically addressed current needs. It started with professionals from strategic discipline and permeates through to blue collar manpower. A caring government is elected and this greatly helps nation building. This is in complete contrast to selfish and self serving governments that are elected in countries where voices of the people are muffled and truth concealed. Australia embraces globalisation. Government steers the economy up the value chain. The country is strategically positioned to enable it to compete globally. The people have been made to go through an education system that sees through colours and creeds. Meritocracy sees to it that equal rights breed citizens that fuel the nation’s growth. Intellectual properties are abundance. Innovations are apparent in all areas of government and economy and this propels progress. The government is managing the economy very well instead of engaging in destructive politics. Relationship between public and private sectors is a hand-in-glove and unassailable. Supports and incentives are poured into the private sector by the government. Niche businesses sprout throughout the nation. Press freedom is evident. This gives birth to a civil society, generally devoid of hatred and discord. Although one may not be fully agree with western democracy practiced here, one has to admit that it is far superior to distorted democracy being promulgated in countries like Malaysia. Environmental protection policies are well in place. Awareness level is very high. Citizens chip-in in making Australia greener and ecologically balanced and safe. How about healthcare then? Well, a friend that migrated recently put up his thumb and proudly boasts his healthcare programme and benefits that is cheap and first class. Social benefits make one cringes as they make Malaysia look like hell on earth. So much for paying taxes regularly without fail only to be short-changed by the morons that rule the country! One wonders also with a twin tax system of conventional system and the Islamic “Shariah” system of zakat (alms) prevalent in Malaysia and yet hardcore poor are increasing in number and majority are still living in poverty. Providing shelter is perhaps another area where Australia scores a high point in our analysis. Housing for the people is given top priority and couple with environment conservation plan people are living in harmony with other God’s creatures in peace and harmony. Given a political turmoil and economic uncertainty in Malaysia, one is tempted to seriously consider Australia as a home and make Malaysia on the other hand a second home. Not a bad proposition indeed considering Malaysia is inept in taking care of her citizens and chooses to lead them astray. The significant other’s suggestion for one to seriously look at possibility of migrating for good does not sound that foreign now. Goodnight Malaysia or maybe it is a goodbye soon, now that you push me to the brink of poverty and I am slowly loosing my sanity. troubadour A chilly summer in Melbourne and tired from combing it in an attempt to “spot the Aussie”! Aussie Spotting, a new favourite past time since train spotting is no longer fashionable! (Bruce Dickinson, eat your heart out!) November 14, 2008.