identity

I actually did the un-thinkable today, I actually went out lunch with my MD and Hobs. Going for lunch with my MD alone might still be okay with me, but to actually go out with Hobs, now that's a miracle. Anyway, the 3 of us were talking everything under the sun during lunch but what I thought was interesting was this.

My MD Jesse said that the French are known for their language, style and culture. The British is known for their loyalty to the queen and her royal throne. The Americans are known for their believe system. Canadians are known for their love and loyalty towards their country.... Malaysia?? What's Malaysian known for?? yeah we read in National Geographic, our History text book that Malaysia is known for their rich heritage and culture. But is that the first thing that comes to your mind when you're ask that question? What's Malaysian known for?? Jesse said that in his 9 years staying in KL, he summarized Malaysia as followers. A country without it's own identity yet. That got me thinking a bit. There is some truth in it. I realised that in Malaysia be it in the political system, music, arts or even in a religious organisation, we tend to want to follow others.

Ever ask the question why did our tax payer's money go to building KL Tower, KLCC, a freaking big airport like KLIA, an F1 circuit? It seems to me like Malaysia is playing a catch up game. If this country has an F1 Circuit.. Malaysia Boleh. Singapore has tallest hotel in SEA, we have the tallest building in the world (now taken over by Taiwan)... when will we ever stop??

Now I'm treading myself into deep waters, when we even look at religious organisation around, we're also playing the following game. Let's look at my own church, we seem to be following what other churches are doing.. like this church plays a visitor welcome song, we should do that too... planet shakers is the way.. let's go there... FORM music rocks!! let's follow them too... but have we ever thought that by embracing Planet Shakers, FORM, Desperation... is that the identity that God wants for us? Even as an individual, someone did mention to me that I should be myself instead of trying to be something else to please others. So the question comes back to, "What is Our Identity??", "Where does our identity come from?", "How do we develop it?"....

I realised one thing that culture is set from the top. Tun Dr. Mahathir was a dynamic and outspoken leader and thus you can see the rapid development of Malaysia with the building of some of the worlds most tallest, biggest things. So the culture set over that 15 years was one that is think big, think great things, achieve the unachiveble. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi is a God fearing and people person man and thus you the claming down on curruption, review of the police force, going down grass root to the immigration dept to see the long waiting processing problems there. So now Malaysia seems to be geared towards a more humanity approach (off course this will take a decade down the road before it becomes a true culture) but the question still arises.. is that the identity that makes Malaysia? Is culture equal identity?

I'm still at a lost thinking about this. I can't think for the country because I can't even sort out my own identity. Am I really an Ah Pek?? or am I just trying to be like Hock Seng?? Am I the corporate kind of guy or am I just trying to be a "CEO" wannabe?? Am I who I am??