Why I Think Malaysia Will Be The Best Place To Live In The Next Essay

(First prize winner in the STAR 25th anniversary essay competition (Category C - adults) Should a fairy godmother suddenly appear before me with a crystal ball, a magic wand and a world atlas, and give me the liberty to select the country I’d like to live in 25 years from now, without a second’s hesitation, I would point to that small nondescript, elongated peninsula straddling the equator called Malaysia. The reason is very simple. I firmly feel that 25 years hence, Malaysia would be one of the nicest - if not THE nicest - places to call â€Å"home†. Let us take a little journey down the corridors of time and cast a glance at the destiny of some of the nations of the world over the past five decades. There is war and famine in some, greed and suffering in others. Quite clearly, Malaysia has reason to stand proud among the countries of the world. There is plentiful sunshine and rainfall, while the soil is rich and the harvests plentiful. Even Mother Nature has seen fit to bless Malaysia by exempting her from its tantrums - there are no tsunamis and earthquakes, no floods and droughts, no hurricanes and typhoons. Consequently, there is no need to live in fear of nature’s sudden and unabated fury; no need to be constantly on the lookout for unexpected destruction and devastation Freed from the encumbrances of having to battle with the forces of nature, Malaysians are empowered to pursue lifestyles of their own liking. The economy is booming, jobs are for the taking... this is the senario today and there seems little reason to expect this scenario to change adversely within the next 25 years. In fact, with proper management and leadership, the outlook for Malaysia in the next 25 years may even improve. Just for starters, imagine coming home after a day's work to a spotlessly spick and span house filled with the tantalising aroma of rich coffee and roast chicken, all waiting to welcome one home... Which Malaysian housewife-cum-career lady has not dreamed of this before? And yet, this dream may well become a reality just 25 years from now - all because of the winds of technological change, which are sweeping through the country right now. Pping! Just press that little button on your wristwatch 30 minutes before you head home and it'd activate the gamut of... ...e government’s attempts to develop a caring society are most commendable. Twenty-five years hence, these efforts would have begun to bear fruit. Palliative and geriatric care has already made itself felt while halfway houses for abandoned babies and abused children are increasing by the day. The groundwork for inculcating the caring attitude among Malaysians has already been laid with the move towards developing caring schools. Traditional values like thrift, hard work, respect for the aged and filial piety are being upheld as exemplary values which can hold the fibre of Malaysian society together. The voices of people like Marina Mahathir calling for tolerance and understanding for those most in need of moral support are like beacons in the dark, lighting the way towards the creation of the highest of all societies - that with a conscience. Ultimately, the country, which would be best to live in, would be that which enjoys technological growth from without and strong moral and spiritual development from within. And it is exactly this factor which makes me firmly believe that Malaysia will be the best place to live in 25 years from now.