When the 22 of us sat in a circle, I saw the world1 smiling at me. What began as a need for self-discovery and an urge to change the world for the better got me travelling alone 5652 miles to Poland. There, with 22 other volunteers representing countries from all over the world, I worked in development internship called “Peace Project”. And together we spread peace, taught about cross-cultural understanding, overcoming prejudices and intolerance, one high school at a time, in Poland. It was a project that made some headlines in the monoethnic and monoreligion country’s newspaper.
"When I grow up, I want to be a suicidal bomber, I will make sure every part of my body and every drop of my blood will shatter through the land called United States of America!" with her fist raised up high, the 4 feet tall Palestinian girl cried and said fiercely. “Bravo, bravo and bravo!” her teacher applauded with the rest of the class. These were footages from a documentary I saw on Islamic terrorism. I was shocked to the very inside to find out that beyond my world where Muslims were the most polite people I knew, reciting poetry of jihad and attending suicidal bomber’s induction camp was a common ideology in Palestine. But I knew that for who they’ve become, they the terrorists are not the ones to be blame.
“How could this be happening in the world?” I questioned while staring out of the train’s window leaving Zakopane, observing sights so foreign to me. The wooden houses built without nails between the uneven terrains of the mighty Tatra Mountains 4000ft above sea level. I stared at its mountain top where I was stuck when a storm hit with wind and snow so strong, I could barely open my eyes or move a step forward. My mind traveled on like a speed up movie across lands, desserts, rainforests, seas, faces of people and came to a halt when I saw the perfection of the world. The perfect distance from the sun, created the perfect circulation of air, water, ocean current and wind that created climates giving rise to cultures, individuals, economics and politics. These colossal interactions of chemistry between elements, biology in human body, and physics of matter were flawless. It is the greatest gift to all human. Despite that, in the magnanimous and wondrous earth, human often see only their selves which is why injustice and war happens.
When I was awarded the Distinguished Diplomat for representing Israel in the Security Council, I realized how much I have changed, coming from a country that forbids me from entering Israel and taught me 2 pages on World History. Now I understand and see from the eyes of an Israeli Jewish soldier who one-third of his people was obliterated through decades of mass extermination, he defended their right to exist and a safe place in the world they could call home. And from the eyes of a Palestinian girl, who her father was shot dead mistaken as a terrorist by the Israeli soldier and growing up with an ideology indoctrinated in her schoolbooks, sermons of religious teachers and leaders, she gave up her life to be a Shahid2 for her father, religion and country.
“Who’s wrong and who’s right? When will this come to an end?” I may not know the answers to that, but what I do know is that hatred will not cease by hatred, but only through love. I could now feel how it is like to be in the shoes of a Polish, of an Argentinean, of an Armenian, of an Italian, of a Japanese, of a Pakistani, of a Peruvian and of a Georgian, of a Somalian and a Sudanese. Some has comfort, some barely has enough to eat or a government; but everyone has a story of their own.
I too have a story of my own. I was typical of many Chinese in Malaysia in the past. I used to condemn the corrupted government who exploited racial sentiments for power. Through its five decades reign, there were little voices of opposition. People were silenced through the Internal Security Act, Sedition Act and Official Secret Act which threatens to send those voicing out to Kem Kamunting3. Media freedom was oppressed by another 38 laws. Without check and balance, inequality and abuse of power infiltrated police forces, business sector, education, health care, even, the Federal Courts of Malaysia. A former ruling party leader called us “squatters” of the country despite being natives for generations. Many abandoned the country because they felt that the country has abandoned them.
“A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.” Now, I have awakened to the enormity and possibilities of the world. Having acquired a larger understanding of the world, my mind and heart opened up and liberated. I learned to appreciate what I took for granted and I took a new view on problems I once thought was be all and end all. I also learned to challenge status quo.
Malaysia, the country that had sheltered my grandfather who escaped from China from being sent to the war with Japan and protected my grandmother who escaped the hands of Japanese soldiers in Thailand. Here, they met, started a business and a family, making me possible today. I grew up watching Chinese fiction “WuXia” dramas because I was from a Chinese medium primary school. I gradually accepted Islamic Nasyid group, Arabic dramas and watched Bollywood couples dance having studied in a Malay medium national high school. Then, I watched pop music on Channel V while studying in an English medium college. I was invited to the traditional weddings of Malay, Chinese and Indians, to their “Open house” when festivities were celebrated with authentic savory delicacies. I prayed in Taoist ceremonies, attended church’s worships, paid homage to the Sanghas, wore tudung in mosque and watched possession of a Hindu god. Immersing in the wonders, colors and beauty of cultures were the most captivating experience I had.
To the metropolis where World’s tallest twin tower resides, to a picnic by the cooling waterfalls in the oldest rainforest in the world where aboriginals still stay by, to the crystal clear emerald beaches of golden sand or just sitting by the misty highland overlooking greenery and landscapes, was all but a drive away. A stroll in the Ramadhan Bazaar got me a meal of dinner for free, its people are wonderful. Anytime of the day, I could relax and enjoy a drink outdoor with my friends in “Mamak” available by the roads, in T-Shirt, jeans and flowery flip flops, while cheap food of assorted culture choice is served. I have little worries of natural disaster. Why haven’t I realized that? I live in a tropical paradise!
If I was a flower, my country would be the garden that has nurtured me with its soil and water; Thus, I shall bloom forth, making it a more beautiful place. I accepted that like the flowers, I am impermanent. So, why not be the change I want to see in Malaysia? “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” Edmund Burke said. Be not the chess pieces used for ill will, be a chess player of good will. I will be a politician of the change I want to see in Malaysia and I will cease suffering in the world the best I can. I believe I can. Because when I believe, teaching 3600 students about cultural understanding and Peace was possible. And when the 22 of us believe, touching the lives of 25000 students was possible.
As I said that, I smiled, while they applauded for me. I knew who I am and what lies ahead of me.
1. The world: Dasha,Russia; Zeeshan,Pakistan; Anna,Italy; Manami,Japan; Denise,Luana,Brazil; Bang,Vietnam; Federico,Argentina; Feng Ying, Singapore; Leih,Philipines; Eymi,Melissa,Peru; Luis,Claudia,Mexico; Ace, Jia Ping,China; Felipe,Columbia; Ady,Minki,India; Romik,Iran/Armenia; Tamara,Georgia; Vienna,Malaysia.
2. Shahid: Martyr
3. Kem Kamunting: A detention camp similar to Guantanamo Bay
