London Pride 2010

While The Malaysian Insider asks readers to reveal why people choose to leave or stay in the country, Idzwan Husaini, a medical undergraduate shares why he is coming back to stay in the country. Hopefully in the near future.

I have been studying in the United Kingdom for almost three years now and I have enjoyed the enormous sense of freedom, liberty and equality that is widespread in this country.

London Pride 2010
London Pride 2010

Freedom of expression is celebrated here. Rather than oppressing the movement or suppressing the voice of the minority, they are given a chance to prove to the majority their abilities and worth. I was surprised to see an entire family of grandparents, parents and little children joining the throng of people watching the parade during the London Gay Pride summer last year. Rather than teaching their kids to hate people who have, and are proud of their differing sexualities, the parents chose to expose their children to a completely different lifestyle so they  can later choose what is best for them in the future. Freedom of expression is allowed to take place in all forms and shapes. I do not remember ever hearing any agencies involved in banning books, films, songs or even cartoons for that matter!

Discourse and dissent are not tolerated, they are encouraged. When the coalition government began to put in effect the new and more expensive student fees, universities had no qualms allowing their students, through the student unions, to organise marches and protests to voice their discontent. My university even allowed the staff and the lecturers to protest in the middle of the city against the proposed cuts they would have to endure due to David Cameron’s ‘austerity’ scheme. Emails were circulated to students to remind us to check with our lecturers if they were taking part in the protest to see if the lectures for the day were cancelled.

Student-Protests-Education-Cuts-London_522709
Students protesting in London. Observe the lack of police and water cannons.

For every rotation I do at various hospitals through out my third year, I think up to 70% of the senior doctors and consultants involved in the teaching are foreigners coming from all around the world like India, the Middle East, the East Asia, and several from Malaysia. If this is any indication, it reflects the country’s policy of pure meritocracy regardless of race, religion, ancestry, and nationality in its employment.

While everything seems fine and dandy, it does not mean social prejudice with respect to race and religion never takes place. Living in the UK has led me to experience what I have not had the chance to feel living in Malaysia. While I enjoy being born in the so-called Malay race with all its privileges, living in the UK turns the table and makes me the minority, especially with regards to my religion. It throws me off the silver platter and it makes me realise what my fellow Malaysian friends, who are not born the same race as I am, have been feeling their entire lives – marginalised, discriminated and under-appreciated.

I had to endure the eyes of doubt from patients who thought me incompetent simply from my appearance. I have to constantly challenge that assumption and do so by demonstrating to them my firm command of their language and that I am competent in my work.

What Idzwan will be up to once he earns his medical spurs.
What Idzwan will be up to once he earns his medical spurs.

Yes, racism does continue to exist but only in a small proportion involving the NEDs (non-educated delinquents), scallies or chavs. These slang terms describe a group of hooligans, uneducated, unemployed and living on benefits, who go around town causing trouble, committing petty crimes and using vulgar language whilst drunk. I have only heard of a case in which a fellow Malaysian was bashed on his way home in the middle of the night. Aside from getting a black eye simply for ‘looking’ different, none of his belongings were taken from him. As for my religion, let’s not even talk about the flicker of fear and prejudice I could see in their eyes when they know my first name is Muhammad.

Social prejudices do exist. They hurt just the same despite being uncommon. It remains a comfort to know that such behaviour is not tolerated in society. Racism and religious intolerance certainly hardly occur in matters pertaining to education and employment.

Because of those reasons above, the United Kingdom seems like a good place for me to pursue my future. The minor glitches aside, I am not worried one bit about its progress because I know it is my talent that will count. My abilities will not be judged based on my race and religion.

Why, then, have I decided to come back?

I have lost count of the numerous times when the many consultants that I have sat in their various clinics during my rotation asked me about my plans after graduation. The conversation tends to follow this one pattern:

Consultant: So, are you planning to go back and practice in your country or stay here in the UK?

Me: I’m going home. I might do my two-year foundation here but I’ll eventually go back to work there.

Consultant: Is it any good over there? I’ve heard the working condition is not very good. And you’re probably paid more here.

Me: Yeah, I’ll probably be paid more here. And yes, the working condition back home is not that good. There are very few doctors so we’ll be working long hours but that is why I’m going home. If every Malaysian medical student studying abroad chooses not to go back to work over there, naturally the hospitals are gonna be understaffed and that’s what’s causing the poor working conditions for the doctors there. The cycle is just going to go on and on so somebody has to go back to fill up those positions and I’m going to do it. It is, after, all home.

No, I did not make up that conversation. Some of my friends here are actually surprised that I still want to go back despite the better opportunities and future I would have here.

I have been lucky to get the opportunity to study abroad and learn from excellent and dedicated doctors and consultants from around the world. It is a privilege to have my eager, keen and thirsty mind fed and filled by these experts who are willing to take time out of their busy and hectic schedule to educate and nurture future generations of doctors.

The same cannot be said about medical students in Malaysia. Due to lack of senior doctors and consultants in hospitals, medical students and newly-graduated young doctors do not receive the adequate amount of guidance during their foundation year to cultivate consistent and systematic working habits that is necessary for every doctor. I have felt the frustration of not having anyone to learn from during a hectic Accident and Emergency (A&E) session when my brain was eager and excited but with few doctors available to teach. I have also seen the tired look in the eyes of the patients in the waiting area hoping that their names would be called after waiting for more than two hours.

So I am coming back because I want to give back. I want to serve every Malaysian either by using all the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired to treat the sick or share those same skills and knowledge with fellow young doctors and future medical students. I know it will not solve the brain drain in the country or reduce patients’ waiting time at the A&E but at least I am doing the little I can about it.

Some of you will probably think that I should come back to serve the country out of sense of duty. After all, my entire education here and all the great things that I have gained and experienced for the last three years have been funded by my fellow Malaysians who pay their taxes.

Yes, I believe in that sense of duty but no, I am not coming back because I need to hold up my end of the contract I signed with MARA three years ago. In fact, I am not even bonded to MARA the way PSD scholars are. I could just stay in the UK and make my fortune without having to deal with the incompetence of a corrupt government making ridiculous and unfair policies that are poorly thought out. And I do not have to worry about enrolling my future children into a sub-standard, exam-oriented education system that encourages dogma instead of independent-thinking apart from its lack of tolerance for diversity.

My desire to come back stems from the simple basis that I love my country so much that leaving it and its people simply because of its faulty modus operandi is akin to a coward running away from the problems instead of tackling them. I want to give other young Malaysians, medical students or not, the opportunities that I have gained during my study abroad. It is, of course, impossible to ferry all the country’s youth abroad but I can come home to bring and share the important values of freedom, equality, meritocracy, diversity, tolerance and fighting for what is right with the youth in the country.

Signs of great changes are already sprouting in the country with the alternative media encouraging voices of dissent and discourse to provide check and balance to whatever the Powers That Be is doing. We already have human right groups who have been trying their best to promote tolerance and creating awareness among the public their rights and what they can and should do to fight for those rights.

Although limited, it is still a good start that we already have bright and educated Malaysians pushing for those changes. I believe that if Malaysians who have had the opportunity to enjoy the greater freedom and liberty abroad were to come back and share the experience and work together with the ones at home, we will be one step closer to bringing our country to the much civilised and progressive nation it should be.

Negaraku
Negaraku

Some of you are probably laughing at my naivete and simple-mindedness. But I remain a believer for that is what being young is all about. I apologise if I come across as patronising or condescending but I believe in the people of my country. I am coming back to do whatever I can to contribute to the change no matter how slow and tiring the struggle will be. And it really is just because Malaysia is home and there is no place like home.

Idzwan Husaini believes in the joy and energy of being young. He believes in being optimistic and hopeful of what lies ahead rather than being doubtful and fearful of the future like most old people do these days. He wishes old people would grow up and out of the old prejudices and start looking forward rather than focusing on what has happened in the past.

Idzwan Husaini is just another typical Malaysian who always dreams of a better Malaysia. He is glad to be a part of this movement that helps transform his dreams into actions. He studies Medicine in Newcastle...

43 replies on “Why I’m Returning Home to Malaysia”

  1. An incredible post enough to open eyes. Yes I do agree that we should give a chance to our kids so that they could choose what is wrong and what is right?

  2. During the first year, you will be receiving instructions in the basic medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, introductory psychology and sociology, etc). You may also be taking introductory physiotherapy courses/modules such as movement science or kinesiology, motor control and learning, and exercise physiology.

  3. Yes is truth,

    Please come back, Malaysian need you Graduate. We have more jobs and problems waiting to settle. This is the best training ground or home groud of you. Welcome our beloved professional

  4. Hi Khairul

    Yes you are right this century politican is useless, i dont feel everday i see them argue who ideal and who can get more investment for state.

    But we still have race , religious issue. After second word war. I dont see this problem is hard to settle compare how Russian Spy and US and justify who is the key problem and finish the problem.

    If we still allow this to happen because the politicians are making fun of us .

    Our lifestyle is simply create By human inperfection, forget mistake, unsustainable machine, too much of inperfect home, we are repeating same problem. Just have fun

  5. After i read your story i feel we Malaysian really have hope and we should to better than them. Bit them fellow Malaysia
    Also i had think why we need politicians as all their promise or ideal is actually how to help politicians to get better or richer and power. We should share our knowledge and contribution selfish only will bring harder for society.

    The world open with so many economy model suceed or fail all ideal of how to govern a country and create better jobs for your own people.

    We should think our country Needs food, home, energy and wellfare for the old forks.

    Now a day I always shopping around KL area getting more and more vacant property . Why ?

    Why we have opersition politicians still have religious problem, race problem. Is it our coumtry nearly no food or no place for you to relax.
    If we can create sustainable food and energy we will be the happier and not control by someone. We should continues contribution, help all fellows Malaysian live happily

  6. Well-done ,

    Idzwan I hope we Malaysian should have more and more open minded and educated Malaysian to help our beloved countryman, fighting each other is very hard to get progress we Malaysian should learn how contribution is not just looking for self interest

  7. I would like to know Dr Idzwan's opinion after years of coming back to Malaysia. Is it better to comeback or to stay oversea?

  8. i am not sure if you are already in malaysia or not, but i think you should not come back here and work as houseman in our Hosp. coz u will be treated badly. you are not making any contribution as a houseman. however if you come back as a specialist, you will be respected and that is when you can make any real difference in our country.

  9. Dear idzwan, reading ur article really has re-inspired me. It remind me of my own great motivation and good intentions when i first joined the public heathcare service 18 yeàrs ago. Today, i'm still with the public service and i have gone through LOTS of the undesirable aspects of our local system. Hopefully , i still can re-energize my motivation and hope. Believe me, its HARD. Tq idzwan

  10. I love my country but I hate the generations of political masters who have been running it…..Bersih? only an illusion…sorry, I remain a cynical old fella as I have been back to Bolehland 3 times and each time I did give myself a chance….I have been out again for 11 years now and if I return, it is only to die and be buried or cremated. Malaysians must unite and not be politically divided by race or religion, which has been a successful ploy of the political masters all this time.

  11. Dear Idzwan,

    To me, you have the heart of a hero, and I like your positive views towards matters ! This is the kind of spirit that we need to move our country forward.

    Forget about the naysayers, follow your heart and continue the positive spirit :)

    Pls stop seeing each other with a stereo typical view based on race, religion, colour; if we can just look at each other as Malaysians and don't get too intimidated by the government's moves.

    There can only be 1 home, and my home is MY, so why not make it a better place ? Fellow Malaysians, have we done our part ? or are we just happy to remain criticised and continue to oppress each other ?

    Idzwan, semoga maju jaya and bahagia dalam hidup mu !

  12. Even if MARA scholars does not have the responsibility to come home right after they graduate, but at least they should think about the huge amount of money that have been spent for their studies. For me, it was just plain SELFISH if they think that the money is merely a generous gift for them. MARA should not be allowed to award scholarship with no contract at all. Those are the talented young working forces, that should be fully utilised to build up the nations.

    Paying the good deeds forward is definitely a good idea to think of, when with the same amount of money spent on one student in oversea (could have been used to improve major R&D in Malaysia).

  13. It's good you decide to come back, but let me say without our parents and those who are already working to pay the tax, you guys have no chance to go overseas in the first place. the preference is always prone to you guys, not to us, whatever excuses might be, we all that deep down very well. if i can choose not to come back, i will! just came back from uk after few years of studies and see the current state of the country is depressings, it's worse than when i left and it just annoys me and make me so angry. you will always be associated with the majority of the group as a whole no matter what tiny things you do, just like a team challenge, even though one team member performed extremely well, if the whole team lose, they LOSE! oh well, whatever, this country has no hope. i feel so shameful that im a malaysian

  14. Dear Idzwan,

    Your intention to return to our country and to serve the people is indeed commendable.

    I passed SPM and STPM with flying colours. Unlike you, I was not fortunate. As I was not born in the so-called Malay race with all its privileges, I were not given any government scholarship (I was not even called for any interview despite my excellent results). I was frustrated with the government which does not practice meritocracy. Our government is in fact unique when it comes to affirmative action- to protect the majority and NOT the MINORITY. Till now, our government still practices 'divide and rule'; it is obvious fact that different races live in different areas and different races attend different schools. Is the government oblivious of its own integration policies? Again, 1Malaysia seems to be only a mere slogan and political propaganda. The very aim of UMNO in practicing 'divide and rule' policies is so that they could remain in power for the years to come. You are exactly the kind of Malaysian we are lacking here- liberal and open-minded!

    Before reading your article, I have the intention of leaving our beloved country in five years time. The reasons are obvious- you have elaborated much in your article and I shall not delve further into them. Frustrated with the system that we have here, I thought leaving will be the best option since to make a change to the existing will need a long period of time. I have to admit that leaving the country is akin to escaping from the problem rather than solving it.

    I have since changed my mind after reading your piece of work. It will not be an easy path. CHANGE will not be easy as the majority has stayed too long in their comfort zone. Taking away the privileges means a big deal for them; and it will involve political determination through constitutional amendments. Hopefully, more young people like you will come forward to join the forces of change.

    Our FUTURE depends very much on the hands of the young people like us. Together we can change for a better Malaysia.

    Regards,

    Julian

  15. hi there idzwan.. i felt compelled to response becos i WILL (insyaAllah) be like u, 2 yrs from now. studying med in uk.

    and by all means, u r not being heroic, u r just being a human; grateful to the chance in a lifetime that this country has blessed upon u.

    and yes, the working conditions are VERY POOR in our hospitals, be it for the doctors and healthcare practitioners, no deny bout it. the salary pay are low, unfair treatment, etc. but let's stop whining. the world is a cruel place, after all. we all know that. let's not make it harder. if each one of us do wat we are best at, i'm sure things will improve. this maybe sounds like a wishful thinking, but a nation is made up of its people. rotten people makes rotten nation. for now, there are maybe a lot of rotten people infiltrated the nation. so for the younger generations, i say, it's upon us to change that.

  16. If u wan to be a hero, if u want to make a difference, go n specialise there b4 returning home. What our surgeons are doin now, has been done by surgeons from d uk 20 years back. Our surgeons are 20 years backdated. Why? Bcos no specialist(maybe except from Bangladesh, myanmar or the middle east) would want to come to Malaysia. If u return as an undergrad, u will not contribute as much. Think before u decide. Malaysia can wait another 10-15 yrs for u. Do not rush. N did u just hear dr Chua soi lek said recently that Malaysia is already churning out too many doctors? N there's not enough hospital to train them to be quality doctors? If u come back now, ure just a nobody. If u specialize n then come back, then only I will call u a hero.

  17. You hold the quality a real leader of the country should possess.

    Our country need men like you to lead us into a better place.

    Keep this mindset and you'll definitely make a difference.

    I thank god for people like you. GOD BLESS

  18. I got ur back dude! ignore all those mercenary,selfish,negative thinkers. all the tax payer whose money u'r using for ur studies are expecting for u to make some contribution for them. so, do ur responsibilities. if every people thinks like the way u are thinking, surely our country will have enough expert during 2020 as targeted by the government.

    WE ALL WELCOME U HOME HERO!

  19. mr idzwan,

    thank you for being a good fellow malaysian.i am really frustrated to not being able to continue my medical undergrad in the UK. the gov send me to a local university.at first im really sad not to being able to work there as it is easier if u get ur degree there.

    after i read ur entry, i realised sumthing that the scholarship money is from the taxpayer of fellow malaysian and its how important to return the deed to our people. about the salary here in malaysia i do know that its less than what u would get if u work there. but its the only best thing you could do compared with the one million ringgit gov malaysia spent it on a average medical student abroad.on behalf of MALAYSIA, thank you very much and welcome home :)

  20. had u really paid attention you would know that the long waits in hospitals is because there are not enough hospitals. The brain drain is a result of not enough specialists rather than not enough doctors. There are plenty of medical officers here. you should know that.

    do your specialty training overseas then come back. im sure @therapy_boy and @uk_grad will agree with me. that way, there will be a great job for you no matter where you go.

    why must you even mention that you're on mara anyway? also, another way you can help the country is to tell ur msian classmates to work harder.

  21. idzwan, im neither discouraging you, nor encouraging you. im just giving you the heads-up. if you think you can cope with the frustration, then by all means… come back. just be prepared to bin your ideals. and yeah, given the current situation and salary, your dream to buy a nice car, a big house, will only remain that… a big fat dream. once you return, you will notice this immediately… any tom dick and harry can be a doctor. the quality and professionalism of doctors is despicable. no thanks to lax entry requirements to medical schools available locally and overseas.

    just to digress, for the life of me, i cannot understand why do ppl compare malaysia to other countries like indonesia, zimbabwe or congo. what kind of benchmark are you setting? is that a reason to be grateful? or feel lucky? come on, y not compare to singapore? south korea? japan? if you only compare with the weak, the best you can be is the best among the weaklings. no?

    in developed countries, if you criticize, they try to be better. but in this country, if you stand up to your ideals, you criticize the health service, they will shoot you down. or, they tell you that you're supposed to be lucky…

  22. TO IDZWAN: i THINK U HAVE MADE A GOOD DECISION.. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE IT.. SO WE SHOULD DO WHAT WE SHOULD DO..

    TO OTHERS: WHY DO WE HAVE TO DEMORALIZE HIM.. YOU CALLED YOURSELF MALAYSIAN BUT YOU DISCOURAGE OTHER MALAYSIAN TO DO A GOOD DEED.. COME ON.. RACISM IS EVERY WHERE IN MALAYSIA.. EVEN IN THE PRIVATE SECTORS.. BUMIPUTERA IN MALAYSIA EXPERIENCED RACISM TOO ESPECIALLY IN THE PRIVATE SECTORS WHERE THE EMPLOYERS ARE OTHER RACE.. HOW ABOUT THAT…

    YOU GUYS SHOULD FEEL LUCKY TO BE BORN AS A MALAYSIAN.. THE GOVERMENT PUT AN EFFORT TO EDUCATED YOU PEOPLE TO OVERSEAS UNLIKE OTHER COUNTRY LIKE INDONESIA..

  23. Dr.Idzwan Husaini,

    No one can argue when your heart belongs to M'sia just like many others. It's a blessing we have so many good hearts made a decision of coming back and wish to do soemthing good for the country,my respect honestly.

    My questions are: What if your integrity of professionalism being challenged by those unqualified authorities like your superiors of hospital ? Such as in the Anwar's sodomy case ? Or being called "Liar" such as in Teoh's case when Nazri called Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand ?

    Will your dream be shattered ?

  24. Maybe it's a Malaysian trait. But why is it that whenever someone intending to do good for the nation, he or she must be aligned to a political party? Let's not be so shallow here and take what the author has written as his commitment to the people of our country. Political beliefs, sexual orientation, race and religion aside.

    A Medical Practioner will treat an innumerable number of patients in his lifetime. The value of which just cannot be quantified. To their detractors, could you do the same?

    We should applaud anyone wishing to return with open arms. Their expertise is greatly needed. Anyone from any discipline wanting to make their country a better place to live in is a hero in my eyes. They could be Malaysians abroad or even right here at home. Appreciate them. They're a rare sight nowadays.

    Good luck Idzwan.

  25. Good on you Idzwan. My advice to you is to talk to as many people as possible who have come home (from all the different centres, MoH, universities etc) so you can plan your career path properly. Keep good relationships with your UK bosses for purposes of further subspeciality training. All the best. It is going to be hard, trust me. But be strong and stay the path.

  26. dear Mr Idzwan, i applaud you for your outstanding commitment, but id like to bring somethings to your attention, i am an occupational therapy student working under our ministry of health, i have just finished my diploma and am waiting for my posting, not only is my diploma looked down upon by doctors and most degree holders in the hospital, they think of us as liabilities rather than assets, even though my working hours is only 8 to 5 but i do come in early and leave late because i do care for my patients, but they do not care for patient care quality, its more to quantity these days as we know our patient quota must be filled instead of quality patient treatment, and my seniors at work have urged me not to work so diligently as it makes them look bad, i have had my grades hit because of this, some people deliberately give me less marks because i work hard, what kind of incentive is that, not only do i get no extra praise or pay for my effort i get dirt shoved in my face, another thing there is no plan for me to do my degree as if i will get a PJJ scholarship from my hospital. so i have to hope that my head of department will let me take leave so that i can attend my degree classes,and that is a very slim chance , in the rest of the world there is no such thing as a diploma in occupational therapy, we work as hard as those degree holders in other countries but we get less pay, we are overworked and there is no talk of change or bringing something new because there is no platform for new ideas in treatment or even post basic courses, so i love my job, but working this way makes me frustrated, i have been thinking of finishing the years i owe the government for my scholarship and then jumping ship to Singapore or Australia, i love my country and where i live i do not want to have to change or move anywhere, but what is a young man do when everywhere he turns his ideas and spirit is deemed useless to the work force, i am confused, but i will still give 100% to my patients, but i think every human has a limit and i hope i do not burn out, i wish to deliver good rehab to patients who need me. This dilemma is not only faced by me but by most of the health care workforce who take integrity and respect in their jobs, i feel sad that i have to say this but still what do i know, i still believe that it is possible for my country to change its policies and make it possible that i love my job again and continue my service in the government.Also yes i am aware that i do get government benefits and that many say i have nothing to complain about but i think we have too look to the future, if not many of our young graduates will leave my beautiful Malaysia in search of a better employment.

  27. Hi idzwan,
    Just to share my experiences working in Malaysia.
    Just like u, I graduated from the uk a couple of years back. But unlike u, I'm a dentist. I came back feeling optimistic, serving my compulsory service and hoping to gain as much experiences possible. After that, only should I think about going private or stay put in the public service.

    It's been about 2 years now. N let me tell u this..
    1. The government service DO NOT know how to appreciate ur talent. They overwork u, n underpay u.
    2. U will b frustrated with ur bosses, be it at clinic level, district level, state or even national level. The only thing they care about r their pay slips. At the end of the day, they only care about numbers n statistics. How well u treat ur patient, ur general well-bring is unimportant to them. They only care about how many patients u see, as opposed to how well u treat them.
    3. There is no professional etiquette here. Remember school days? yes, u will b treated like a school kid. Ur bosses will bully u, they will tell u how 30 yrs ago their work was triple urs now, they think they deserve ur respect, but in reality, they hav not earned it. In fact, sumtimes u despise n hate them. The bosses who are caring, friendly n understanding do not exist in the government service.
    4. Despite ur optimism, u WILL b frustrated. u will regret coming back to this country. N u can't wait to finish compulsory service n get the hell out of public service coz u wil one day realize, ur pay slip isn't that much of a difference compared to a teacher. U will tell urself this, 5 years of medical school isn't worth this crap.
    5. But count ur lucky stars, as specialist training n promotions always tend to fall to ppl of ur race.

    Good luck with everything. I hav met ppl of ur race studying with me in the uk, n sum of them are really talented n good at what they're doing. I hope ure one of them, coz I do respect them, n they Really deserve those scholarships. But a big number of them, can't even speak English fluently despite being there for 5 yrs.

    Sorry for typos n bad grammar, typing on d phone isn't easy.

    Idzwan, good luck wif everything!

  28. camcam – Hello. I would like to thank you for reading the article from top to bottom through and through. And thank you for reading the article in its original sense of an average Malaysia who wants to come back simply to serve the people of the country without any political leaning or allegiance. I wasn't planning to be a hero. I was just planning to help.

    siewchin – Thank you =p

    MacMac – Thank You =p

    davvy – It might have been my wording but I was implying that the children, once they discover their true sexuality, won't have to be scared of coming out due to fear of being rejected by their own family. Some children could get really confused, depressed and distressed when they discover that their sexual preference is the total opposite of the norm and their fear to come out and admit it would often cause severe mental illnesses. If they know early on that the society and their parents have no problems accepting homosexuality then the fear of coming out later in the future wouldn't arise.

    yes, the issue of people leaving the country is certainly multifactorial and I was not trying to address the issue holistically. I was simply saying my own reasons of why I want to come back. Those reasons you mentioned can only be dealt with if all Malaysians work collectively to push for those changes and as a Malaysian, I want to play my little part in it.

    Ed Soo – Thank You. The glass is always half full with me. I believe in being positive. I find it sad that some Malaysians love to blow the negative things out of proportion and when they come across something that is positive, they belittle it rather than encouraging it.

    Jonathan Fun – Thank You =p

  29. To MacMac

    8June 2.39pm

    No, I dont know how to read and I dont understand english as well as you do. Read the following which I copied from the article.

    Quote:

    Some of you will probably think that I should come back to serve the country out of sense of duty. After all, my entire education here and all the great things that I have gained and experienced for the last three years have been funded by my fellow Malaysians who pay their taxes.

    Yes, I believe in that sense of duty but no, I am not coming back because I need to hold up my end of the contract I signed with MARA three years ago. In fact, I am not even bonded to MARA the way PSD scholars are. unquote

  30. Idzwan,

    I respect you for saying this:

    "My desire to come back stems from the simple basis that I love my country so much that leaving it and its people simply because of its faulty modus operandi is akin to a coward running away from the problems instead of tackling them."

    Your choice to come back is really admirable. The fight to close the intellectual void existing today in Malaysia as a result of braindrain starts from professionals like you who have chosen to put your country above yourself to return and serve.

    My housemen friends could really use some extra pair of hands like yours in their hospitals so that they won't have to continue working 36 hour shifts.

    Thank you and welcome back home.

  31. Idzwan…way to go! The cup is either half full or half empty depending on how you look at it… it is encouraging to know that there are young optimistic Malaysians like yourself who choose to see it as being half full. Syabas.

  32. Idzwan,

    I applause you for coming back to serve the country. Whether or not your scholarship in the UK is approved based on racial line, still it is applaudable. I find your article very interesting as I neither agree with your article nor I disagree with it. Perhaps like what you have said by the end of your article that it is written in a simple-minded or naive manner.

    At the starting of your article, you wrote

    “Rather than teaching their kids to hate people who have, and are proud of their differing sexualities, the parents chose to expose their children to a completely different lifestyle so they can later choose what is best for them in the future.”

    It seems that you are trying to address a serious issue over here. I have read this repeatedly as I thought I might have misinterpret it. The way that you have phrase this is as if homosexuality is a lifestyle and people can choose to live between being homosexual and heterosexual.

    Another quote from your article,

    “If every Malaysian medical student studying abroad chooses not to go back to work over there, naturally the hospitals are gonna be understaffed and that’s what’s causing the poor working conditions for the doctors there. The cycle is just going to go on and on so somebody has to go back to fill up those positions and I’m going to do it. It is, after, all home.”

    I believe that the amount of doctors that are being produced from our local universities, thus why are we still understaff. If the locally graduated medical professions are not able to satisfy the need of the country, I believe there is a bigger problem than that you are saying, that is Malaysian medical students are not coming back upon graduation.

    The factors that you have addressed on why people are leaving the country have a more contributing factors, institutionalizing religion, selective freedom of speech, racial quotas for scholarships and many more.

  33. CamCam, can you read?

    "In fact, I am not even bonded to MARA the way PSD scholars are. I could just stay in the UK and make my fortune…"

    The author makes it clear that there was clear incentive to stay in the UK. He has his merits regardless of his political alignment.

  34. hello, Idzwan Husaini

    sure you are coming back to malaysia, but tell me who paid for your studies in the UK. If it is paid for by your parents, then you are a hero. If it is paid by BN govt, based on racial lines, then you are not a hero.

    1. As a British person, now living in Malaysia, I see the contrast between the freedoms that we in the UK take too readily for granted and the limited freedoms that exist here. I think it is very significant that Idzwan mentioned at the beginning about London Gay Pride. He is absolutely right that all is not rosy in the UK in terms of race relations or prejudice. Nevertheless, we have laws which protect those subject to any discrimination on grounds which include sexual orientation. I know the situation is different here and as a foreigner, I have to respect that. However, I have found particularly amongst the younger generation a desire to see change as well as a frustration that that change is not happening as quickly they would like. Above all, I hope that the process is evolutionary and not revolutionary. Camcam, I frankly don't think it matters who paid for his education in the UK. If Idzwan really sticks to his principles with grace, dignity and respect, and does not cave in to the pressures he will be faced with to conform to what is expected of him, then I for one will applaud him for his courage in returning back to his own country and make a difference like many others.

  35. Idzwan – you have indeed learned much when abroad… unlike those who are merely ‘educated’ or unlike those who claim wisdom merely becos of age :)

    Do not let time or circumstances distract you from your admirable ideals but stay strong and true to see them through as much as you can.

    All the best & welcome home!

    Camcam – Idzwan is only doing what a decent, honorable, patriotic guy should do. He ain’t trying to be a hero though he may be one in the making ;-)

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