Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 23. September 20, 1976
Apathy Amongst Malaysian Students
Apathy Amongst Malaysian Students
Fellow Malaysians,
The elections for the next committee (1977) has come and gone. Yet today I asked myself, what has it achieved?
Only 30% of the Malaysian members were there for the general meeting. Why this low level in the turn out? Is it that there is something which is more important or is it plain apathy. This I would put to all Malaysians students.
Generally it could be said that most Malaysian students in New Zealand are selfish, apathetic and self-conceited. They would only be prepared to get their bloody BCA, go back home, get a job and make a helluva lot of money. They would not be perturbed by what's happening around them.
Take the recent issue alone - the 45% cutback of Malaysian students. Nothing had been done at all to represent the view of Malaysian students. This I would condemn the past committee for not taking an active part in it. Instead the initiative had come from NZUSA. What are this committee and it's members doing then? I asked them now. Why this apathy? Is it because they are afraid to let Air Commodore Gill to give them the boot? Why should this selfish attitude prevail.
After 2 years in New Zealand I would conclude from my observations that most Malaysians are sheepish, selfish and apathetic I ask again, that with these prevailing attitudes could we survive in a foreign land? Why should we not handle and be involved in our own affairs then.? Could we live with the conscience of being selfish and self-conecited?
I would further like to point out to the bunch of arm chair critics that if you want anything to be done by your association (i.e. MSA), the very first thing for you to do is to get up there and do something. A good suggestion would be 10 stand for the elections or else do something beneficial for the others if you 'think' you could do so.
All I'm asking here is to ask you Malaysians to think about MSA as your association. If you do not want to support and give constructive ideas there is no point then in having as Association. Could we [ unclear: there] afford not to have a body to represent our views and interest? Would we then expect the New Zealanders to do the shit for us?
Well put on your thinking caps and put your books away for sometime and think it over.
Remember theres no room for selfishness and apathy. You should consider yourself lucky in getting what you want now. Think of those unfortunate ones.
Remember too that this is your association and if you want anything you should stop being apathetic nor be an arm chair critic. Stand up! Action speaks louder than words.
T.C.