09 April 2010

Simply And Basically Malaysian - S A B M



S   A   B   M

I'd been challenged to define what this means to me. Although I made efforts to push it to the bottom of my "to do" list, some events kept bringing it to the top, again and again. Finally, I gave up the fight and thought about it during my "driving home from work" time.

It stands for SAYA ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA. To me, this just simply means, "I AM MALAYSIAN" without the trappings of any form of discrimination.

I have been reading a lot about this on the official website here and on blogs/news/comments/emails. What is gratifying to know is the spirit that the SABM website speaks of, packaged in flesh and bones is real. It's me! It's you!

I am that spirit. Whether I realised it or not, the moment I was born in Malaysia, I inherited that spirit. Many of us forget that this is our right and not a privilege! Our right to be called a Malaysian.

In an earlier post "Of being Number 4", I light-heartedly wrote about it and garnered quite a bit of attention. This, in turn, spurred me to write more and led me to where I am now, sitting at my computer on a Friday night and writing again.

What has happened since that blog?

Wow, I can't really squeeze everything here but suffice to say that I've seen enough to believe that the SABM idea can work. Yes, I believe it and I believe that is half the battle won.

Giving up and thinking that nothing is going to change is too easy. No, I mean, it's being too lazy!

We are constantly bombarded by the naysayers doing their best to convince us nothing will change. Well, I've seen and heard enough recently, to be convinced that something will change and it already has its wheels in motion. We can't perceive it yet but it's alive and deeply rooted in our subconscious mind awaiting an awakening.

We permit the idea of being a Malaysian to be dissected by racists. We stand by and allow our young to be influenced by the concept of a 1Malaysia, which resonates of double standards and inequality.

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking me about my race.

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking, "Bumiputra" or "non-Bumiputra".

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking me where I pray.

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking me anything.

I'm a Malaysian.  No further questions, please!

S IMPLY
A ND
B ASICALLY
M ALAYSIAN

Nothing more but nothing less, than any other guy or gal born here!


(pics from SABM and SanJiun with thanks)


19 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks a million for this wonderful inspirational posting.

It gives us the strength to carry on with the cause to plant the seeds of the SABM spirit.

Malaysia is not a lost cause.
Cheers
Jaya

SFGEMS said...

Jaya,

I'm just so glad that there are dedicated and committed Malaysians who walk the talk.

You and the core group have given us hope. For this, we should thank you all.

SABMer always!!!!

Pat said...

So well said, Lita. And to think that after 52 years, this is still an issue!

I say something similar in a post a couple of days ago - in response to Haris' post on 'Harapan'.

Yes, I am one, too: an Anak Bangsa Malaysia. And that is all there is to it, plain and simple.

I don't want to rub it in anyone's face; and I don't mean to take anything away from anyone else by saying it. It is just true.

Like you, I was born here. I am Malaysian. It even says so on my passport! So, what in heck else could I be?!

Trust us Malaysians to turn even something that should be so simple, into a three-ring circus!

KS Cheah said...

Wonderful perspective Lita.

Mr Jaya, hope all is well with you and yours.

KS

msan said...

Lita, your short posting captures the essence of SABM.

Thank you and carry on with the good work. God Bless!

Melvin.
"Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia."

SFGEMS said...

Pat dear, You are right on all counts. I think, for those, who have the luxury of travelling and who hold a Malaysian passport need to read what you commented.

That is so telling eh! I never thought of it that way but you are right, the fact that we have a Malaysian International passport is, in fact, a passport to the fact that we are Malaysians.

Clever lah you! But I knew that already! LOL

Love ya!

SFGEMS said...

Melvin, Thank you for visiting and the encouragement. God bless!

SFGEMS said...

KSCheah,

Thank you. Appreciate your compliment. ;)

Bert Tristan L said...

Bravo for the afford ... SABM ...great...

Hopefully, my spirit to call Malaysia my lovely home does not die off in the next 1 or 2 years. With the latest anti-climax actions by various ministers and bodies, I'm really confused and disorientated by the program and propaganda by the new prime minister which is supposed to unite us (Malaysia) ... Now, are we really 1Malaysia again ?

Shanghai Fish said...

my dear Lita, simple yet straight from the heart. Truly you are a shinning advocate of SABM ! Yes, all is not lost. Keep it up and spread the word. Cheers !

shar101 said...

Yer just hadda make this posting, eh Lita.

But then again, it hadda be from a truly genuine Malaysian who can pull it off without sounding cliche, ain't it.

Btw there're other definitions of SABM that the 'boyz' came up with which I'll share with you later if yer interested. :-)

SFGEMS said...

Bert Tristan L

We all have to do our part. How about giving SABM a look around? Click on their website and see how far they've come.

Help in whatever way you can, :)

SFGEMS said...

Dear Stephen

*bows humbly*

Thank you, my dear!

I'm in good company and it shows huh!

Love and hugs!

SFGEMS said...

Shar101

I just hadda do it.

Somebody hadda do it.

The puddy tat made me do it. LOL

Looking forward to the other defnitions, send me mail pronto!!!!!

:)

Anonymous said...

Dear Lita.........n the spirit is within each n everyone of us. Slowly but surely....

ladyRP

SFGEMS said...

LadyRP,

Little drops of water. Little grains of sand. Make the mighty ocean. And the beauteous land.

Thinking of you! ;)

sparkles said...

Hi Lita

Late entry! ....

You are helping SABM, superbly, to advance the Malaysian spirit.

Pity that many have it but prefer to let that essential spirit..love and care for one's country, go unnoticed.



Your super script will play into their conscience and is bound to shake them up a bit.

In truth, you are a shaker!!!!....so keep up the the good spirit...you are a precious asset to SABM.

Thanks for being an enlightened spirit and for giving us the spirit to follow a good cause for our country....

SFGEMS said...

Sparkles,

Thank you for the kind words.

Better late than never! Appreciate it a lot.

Do I know you? ;)

SFGEMS said...

Sparkles,

Thank you for the kind words.

Better late than never! Appreciate it a lot.

Do I know you? ;)