My name is John Khoo and I left Malaysia in 1971, 41 years ago to study in Perth Australia and am now a citizen of Australia since 1975. I belong to the early generation of youths who felt they fell victims to the NEP that was hijacked by the UMNOputras. I was never eligible for any hand outs even if the NEP was to follow its true aims because my parents were considered middle class and I never had straight “As”. However, I was a genius compared to the majority of Bumiputras that got scholarships.
Through the sacrifices of parents and an Uncle, I made it to Australia in 1971. In 1972, Gough Whitlam and his Labor Party came to power and with a stroke of the pen, all tertiary institution fees were abolished and it applied to all overseas students as well. Instantly, I was literally given a scholarship. It was this turning point that I decided that I owed Malaysia nothing and would stay back in Australia to contribute to this great nation. For nearly 37 years, I turned my back on Malaysia only treating the country as a cheap place to holiday, to visit relatives (my immediate family members are all in Australia now) and enjoy the cheap and great cuisine. That was my only contribution to the Malaysian economy.
It wasn’t until after the GE12 that I met with a few Malaysian activists in December 2008 that changed my mind. It was also at this point in time that the innate love for the country of my birth activated my desire to help those remaining to achieve the dream that I was able to in my adopted country. I must at this point in time state that my love for Malaysia does not diminish my love for Australia as they are not mutually exclusive.
It was then that I made a promise to my dear activist friends in Malaysia that I would do everything (legally of course) to help bring about good governance as our founding fathers intended it to be. The happiest time for me was my early childhood where race and colour played no part in our daily lives. I remember the fun times I had at each festivals at my dear friends house be it at Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas or Chinese New Year.
Many people have asked if I would return to Malaysia and I can remember the quick answer of “no way”. However, after meeting Haris Ibrahim and Asmi Sharom in 2010 when I returned to celebrate my Aunt’s 90th birthday, I was highly motivated to do something positive for Malaysia. I then started SABMoz in Sydney and that quickly spread to Melbourne, Canberra and Perth. Haris asked me if I would return to Malaysia if good governance was returned and that the policies would be fair and equitable to all citizens. My reply was immediate, “In a heart beat”.
Bersih 1 did nothing for me but Bersih 2 was also another turning point.
The coming together of all people of different races and religion to demand a clean and fair election and subsequent election of a true government of the people’s choice was so compelling that I threw everything I could into this movement. Free and fair elections are the essential building blocks of any open and mature democracy. It is every Malaysian’s right to demand it, and they should expect no less. We do in Australia.
The stories that have been told about Bersih 2.0 and the visual scenes of the blatant abuse of power and the attendees’ bravery only made me more determined. The video clips posted on Youtube speaks a million words. I traveled to the Canberra’s event to support it because I knew the numbers there would be small and that Sydney would be well attended. Even so, we had about 40 brave Malaysians, ex-Malaysians and friends of Malaysia attend this event right in front of the Australian Parliament, the pillar of Australian democracy. I now also hold bragging rights of being Ambiga Sreenevasan’s chauffer to visit Canberra to meet our Federal politicians during her visit last year.
This Saturday the 28th of April 2012, Global Bersih 3.0 solidarity actions will be taking place in over 70 cities in 29 countries around the world. I urge Malaysians the world over to take part and stand up for free and fair elections and civil liberties in Malaysia – because YOU CAN. The time has come for Malaysians, ex-Malaysians and friends of Malaysia the world over to do something, no matter how minimal. That time is NOW.
Salam Bersih.
Hi, John, thanks for sharing and cant agree more with you!
Yes. Is our very basic right for all malaysian to demand for basic democracy…
Anyhow i will still support bersih 3 even though i m migrating to Australia this coming june.
Dear John. Your story brings tears to my eyes in view you are already a Auuie you still think of helping us and Malaysia. Although its never too late to help for a change how to govern this beautiful Malaysia we are longing this for a long time. Our older generation was screwed with rampant corruptions in every corners and alley where politicians and their cronies and families are living beyond their earnings on our taxes we sweated to pay. As I think back ( I am now 70 years) we didnt do much those years because of fears and this is the resultant. I wish and pray this gathering can bring the change that is fair to all Malaysians. God Bless
Hi John,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am one those who in the mid-2000s went from being a bright-eyed, politically naive optimist to becoming increasingly disillusioned with the way things were going, and together with many people of my generation, left for greener pastures.
As you said, here in Australia no one looks at your skin colour, religion, gender or even marital status and equal opportunity actually exists. The past 5 years I have thrived here, building a successful career and great network of friends but as you said my heart still belongs home.
I’ve also met many former Malaysians who migrated in the 1970s and 1980s and renounced their citizenship (and they are from ALL walks of Malaysian life, be it age, race and religion) and ALL unanimously cheered when I got my Permanent Residency…followed by “When are you going for citizenship? What for you want to hold on to your Malaysian citizenship?? What good has it done for you?” My answers have always been vague but now getting stronger: “I have hope, my hope is strengthened everyday with this new wave of optimistic youth (and then some) who are taking action and finding the strength to have their voices heard.
I will be standing (sitting) strong with my fellow Malaysians on Saturday. One of my personal goals of the day is to reach out more to those who have given up, and give them a new glimmer of hope. Your story re-affirms that this is still a very realistic and achievable goal for me.
Thank you again and Salam Bersih!
George, Peter and Smita
Thank you for your comments
First of all, George, welcome to Australia in advance and G’Day Mate to you Smita. George, you will find as I did, the real democracy, freedom and more importantly the equality that is so lacking in Malaysia although we are trying very hard to make that change in Malaysia. However, the Malaysian people must want this change. Malaysians must empower themselves to make this change. Bersih 2 showed that with only 50,000 brave souls, a huge difference was made. Can we expect 10 times that for Bersih 3.0?
Every Australian has the same right as the next Aussie. I am particularly moved by the song “We are Australians” by the Seekers especially these words:
We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian
In some way, that song apply equally to Malaysia, because apart from the indigenous people, all Malaysians are imports from other countries.
Peter, it is for people like you, Malaysians who have no choice to leave, that Bersih is all about. As a good blogger friend of mine stated: You are one, with me we are two. Many drops an ocean makes. Let there be another Tsunami for Change.
Salam Bersih
And all Malaysians should think of adapting that paragraph to their own personal beliefs, that we are indeed one, but many and our roots are from diverse cultures SYABAS MALAYSIA, SYABAS BERSIH 3.0,
M E R D E K A AGAIN!!!!!
Thank you John for urging Malaysians all over the world to take part and stand up for free and fair elections and civil liberties in Malaysia.
Thank you for also not turning your back on Malaysia.
It is people like you and those who fight for a fair and just society that gives us a new glimmer of hope for our future generations.
Hidup Malaysia