At the Crossroads
The name itself suggests a division. We are divided as to whether we should be called Dusun or Kadazan. So, what's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
The time for instrospection is now over. We must now put all our positive thoughts into action, and hopefully they would come out all roses.
Here are some positive thoughts that we can all put into action;
1. We must be prepared for a long and ardous journey. The test of maturity of our collective thinking must be to eschew short term results. We must focus our sights on strategic advantage rather than short term subsistence oriented goals. An example of a long term goal is character development; to nurture habits of thrift, diligence, honesty, hardwork, patience, and ambition. In short we must develop a culture of integrity and excellence. These traits are foundations of a civil society which must evolve for Malaysia, and we must be there as a substantive and potent force.
2. Let us raise the bar on the standard of performing our everyday roles. Quantity is out, quality is everything. We have to over-achieve especially in education to be able to win the game of life, and to gain strategic positions in big and important organisations.
3. Rewards must be largely intrinsic. The journey to be the best must be its own reward; let us be the guiding star when darkness is all around; let us steer our boat on an even keel when others have lost their rudder. Let us be "ready to go into hell, for that heavenly quest".
4. Ask what we can do for the country. The age of subsidy mentality must be declared as over. Let us build the capacity to be able to contribute in the most meaningful ways to our country.
5. Let us build and nurture symbols of unity and strength of our community, as an imperative to our shared existence. For a start, I propose that we adopt the Penampang/Papar dialect to be used on radio and all important functions. I am from Ranau, and I am learning that dialect, for the sake of unity.
Finally, let it be remembered that others are travelling on the same ocean of life ever hoping for a better and better existence. This is not a competition - we are all striving to improve the quality of the human race.
